Use In Young Adulthood Research Articles

The contribution of intellectual abilities to young adult's educational differences in health care use – A prospective cohort study

ObjectivesTo examine the contribution of 12-year olds' intellectual abilities to educational differences in health care use in young adulthood. The focus on this life-course phase, including the socioeconomic circumstances in which the participants were brought up, allows an in-depth examination of the influence of important social mobility processes. MethodsA large dataset of 10,400 participants was used to establish the relationship between intellectual abilities in early 2000 (when the participants were 12 years of age) and the educational differences in health care use in 2012 (when the participants were 24 years of age). Outcome variables, i.e. educational attainment and hospital admissions, GP costs, hospital costs, and medication use, were matched from national registers. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine educational differences in health care use, unadjusted and adjusted for the intellectual abilities. ResultsThe educational differences in health care use varied by type of usage (e.g. low education — high hospital admission: OR = 2.89, CI = 2.27, 3.67; low education — high medication use: OR = 1.49, CI = 1.30, 1.71). Also, independent of parental socioeconomic status, intellectual abilities contributed substantially to the educational differences in health care use. The percentage reduction of the ORs after adjustment for intellectual abilities ranged between 1.84% and 38% and was on average almost 25%. ConclusionEducational differences in health care use in young adulthood appear partly based on prior differences in intellectual abilities. Further research is needed with longer follow-ups during people's life-courses. Additionally, we need more insight in how this evidence can effectively be used in the complex challenge of tackling socioeconomic differences in health.

Stress as a Moderator of the Effects of Coping Motives on Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Young Adulthood

Higher levels of coping motives are associated with higher frequency and quantity of alcohol and marijuana use, and higher levels of stress may exacerbate this association. In this study, we examined whether perceived level of stress moderated the association between coping motives and alcohol and marijuana use in a sample of young adult men. Data came from men who were interviewed at mean age 26 (N = 425) and again at mean age 29 (N = 400). Past year frequency and quantity of drinking and past year frequency of marijuana use were assessed as outcomes. Enhancement motives and race were controlled in the analyses. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that stronger alcohol coping motives were significantly related to greater frequency and quantity of alcohol use at ages 26 and 29 and stronger marijuana coping motives were significantly related to greater frequency of marijuana use at age 26 but not 29. Coping motives at age 26 were not predictive of alcohol or marijuana use at age 29. Enhancement motives attenuated the effects of coping motives concurrently and were significantly related to all substance-specific outcomes at the same wave. Crossover effects from alcohol coping motives to marijuana use and from marijuana coping motives to alcohol use were not significant at ages 26 or 29. Stress did not moderate the effects of coping on any outcome. Although coping motives were significant substance-specific predictors of alcohol and marijuana use in young adulthood, most of these associations were no longer significant once enhancement motives were controlled. Interventions to challenge both enhancement and coping motives are needed for young men throughout young adulthood. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2018.01.001

Patterns of adverse childhood experiences and substance use among young adults: A latent class analysis

IntroductionAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been strongly linked with subsequent substance use. The aim of this study was to investigate how different patterns of ACEs influence substance use in young adulthood. MethodsUsing a community sample of young individuals (N=336; ages 18–25), we performed latent class analyses (LCA) to identify homogenous groups of young people with similar patterns of ACEs. Exposure to ACEs incorporates 13 childhood adversities including childhood maltreatment, household dysfunction, and community violence. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used in an effort to examine the associations between ACEs classes and four young adult outcomes such as alcohol-related problems, current tobacco use, drug dependence symptoms, and psychological distress. ResultsLCA identified four heterogeneous classes of young people distinguished by different patterns of ACEs exposure: Low ACEs (56%), Household Dysfunction/Community Violence (14%), Emotional ACEs (14%), and High/Multiple ACEs (16%). Multiple regression analyses found that compared to those in the Low ACEs class, young adults in the High/Multiple ACEs class reported more alcohol-related problems, current tobacco use, and psychological symptoms, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and common risk factors for substance use such as peer substance use. ConclusionsOur findings confirm that for many young people, ACEs occur as multiple rather than single experiences. The results of this research suggest that exposure to poly-victimization during childhood is particularly related to substance use during young adulthood.

Inequalities in young adult frequency and quantity of alcohol use in a longitudinal Swedish sample

BackgroundAlcohol-related mortality is more prevalent in disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. Yet the relationship between socioeconomic position and alcohol use in young adulthood, when alcohol is ...

Profiles of family routines during adolescence associated with profiles of health behaviors in young adulthood.

This study examined associations between profiles of family routines in early adolescence and profiles of health behaviors during young adulthood. In a sample of 4565 individuals, latent transition analysis indicated individuals in a family characterized by low involvement in adolescence were most likely, across classes, to demonstrate a profile characterized by substance use in young adulthood. The high-involvement class during adolescence was least likely to be a substance user but was relatively likely to be in the poor diet and exercise class during young adulthood. Results highlight the utility of examining complex family influences on health using person-centered methods.

The association between regular marijuana use and adult mental health outcomes

ObjectiveThe present study is a prospective examination of the relationship between regular marijuana use from adolescence through young adulthood and mental health outcomes at age 33. MethodsData came from a gender-balanced, ethnically diverse longitudinal panel of 808 participants from Seattle, Washington. Outcomes included symptom counts for six mental health disorders. Regular marijuana use was tracked during adolescence and young adulthood. Regression analyses controlled for demographics and early environment, behaviors, and individual risk factors. ResultsNonusers of marijuana reported fewer symptoms of alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, and generalized anxiety disorder than any category of marijuana users. More persistent regular marijuana use in young adulthood was positively related to more symptoms of cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and nicotine dependence at age 33. ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of avoiding regular marijuana use, especially chronic use in young adulthood. Comprehensive prevention and intervention efforts focusing on marijuana and other substance use might be particularly important in the context of recent legalization of recreational marijuana use in Washington and other U.S. states.

Predictors of Adult Marijuana Use Among Parents and Nonparents.

The current study examined predictors of marijuana use among adults, including subsamples of adults who are actively parenting (i.e., have regular face-to-face contact with a child) and those who have no children. Participants were a community sample of 808 adults and two subsamples drawn from the full group: 383 adults who were actively parenting and 135 who had no children. Multilevel models examined predictors of marijuana use in these three groups from ages 27 to 39. Becoming a parent was associated with a decrease in marijuana use. Regular marijuana use in young adulthood (ages 21-24), partner marijuana use, and pro-marijuana attitudes increased the likelihood of past-year marijuana use among all participants. Being a primary caregiver (among parents) was associated with less marijuana use. Overall, predictors of marijuana use were similar for all adults, regardless of parenting status. Study results suggest that the onset of parenthood alone may be insufficient to reduce adult marijuana use. Instead, preventive intervention targets may include changing adult pro-marijuana attitudes and addressing marijuana use behaviors of live-in partners. Lastly, universal approaches targeting parents and nonparents may be effective for general adult samples.

Stress, coping, and alcohol use in young adulthood

Stress, coping, and alcohol use in young adulthood

Trajectories of Organized Activity Participation Among Urban Adolescents: Associations with Young Adult Outcomes.

Organized activity participation provides opportunities for adolescents to develop assets that may support favorable outcomes in young adulthood. Activity participation may be especially beneficial for marginalized youth as they are likely to face stressors that increase risk of negative outcomes. We used growth mixture modeling (GMM) to identify activity participation trajectories among African American adolescents in an urban, disadvantaged community (Wave 1: mean age=14.86 years, SD=0.64; 49% male, N=681). We also investigated if young adult outcomes differed by trajectory subgroups. Our results suggested a three-class model best fit the data: low, decreasing (74%), moderate, consistent (21%) and moderate, increasing participation subgroups (5%). Adolescents in the increasing subgroup reported higher life satisfaction and lower substance use in young adulthood compared to the decreasing subgroup. Youth who increase participation in activities over time may experience greater opportunities for building assets related to positive development that support health and well-being into young adulthood.

Contextual Effects of Neighborhoods and Schools on Adolescent and Young Adult Marijuana Use in the United States.

Little is known about the unique contribution of schools vs neighborhoods in driving adolescent marijuana use. This study examined the relative contribution of each setting and the influence of school and neighborhood socioeconomic status on use. We performed a series of cross-classified multilevel logistic models predicting past 30-day adolescent (N = 18 329) and young adult (N = 13 908) marijuana use using data from Add Health. Marijuana use differed by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and public assistance in adjusted models. Variance parameters indicated a high degree of clustering by school (σ2 = 0.30) and less pronounced clustering by neighborhood (σ2 = 0.06) in adolescence when accounting for both levels simultaneously in a cross-classified multilevel model. Clustering by school persisted into young adulthood (σ2 = 0.08). Parental receipt of public assistance increased the likelihood of use during adolescence (odds ratio = 1.39; 95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.59), and higher parental education was associated with increased likelihood of use in young adulthood. These findings indicate that both contexts may be promising locations for intervention.

Cannabis, Tobacco, Alcohol Use, and the Risk of Early Stroke: A Population-Based Cohort Study of 45 000 Swedish Men.

Current knowledge on cannabis use in relation to stroke is based almost exclusively on clinical reports. By using a population-based cohort, we aimed to find out whether there was an association between cannabis use and early-onset stroke, when accounting for the use of tobacco and alcohol. The cohort comprises 49 321 Swedish men, born between 1949 and 1951, who were conscripted into compulsory military service between the ages of 18 and 20. All men answered 2 detailed questionnaires at conscription and were subject to examinations of physical aptitude, psychological functioning, and medical status. Information on stroke events up to ≈60 years of age was obtained from national databases; this includes strokes experienced before 45 years of age. No associations between cannabis use in young adulthood and strokes experienced ≤45 years of age or beyond were found in multivariable models: cannabis use >50 times, hazard ratios=0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-2.57) and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.59-1.53). Although an almost doubled risk of ischemic stroke was observed in those with cannabis use >50 times, this risk was attenuated when adjusted for tobacco usage: hazards ratio=1.47 (95% CI, 0.83-2.56). Smoking ≥20 cigarettes per day was clearly associated both with strokes before 45 years of age, hazards ratio=5.04 (95% CI, 2.80-9.06), and with strokes throughout the follow-up, hazards ratio=2.15 (95% CI, 1.61-2.88). We found no evident association between cannabis use in young adulthood and stroke, including strokes before 45 years of age. Tobacco smoking, however, showed a clear, dose-response shaped association with stroke.

Child maltreatment and cannabis use in young adulthood: a birth cohort study.

To investigate whether: (1) child maltreatment is associated with life-time cannabis use, early-onset cannabis use, daily cannabis use and DSM-IV cannabis abuse in young adulthood; and (2) behaviour problems, tobacco use and alcohol use at age 14 are associated with cannabis use. Birth cohort using linked government agency child protection data to define exposure to child maltreatment. The Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia. Of the original cohort of 7223 mother and child pairs, obtained from consecutive presentations for prenatal care at a hospital serving a cross-section of the community, 3778 (52.3%) of the young people participated at age 21years. Exposure to child maltreatment was established by substantiated government agency reports. Cannabis outcomes were by self-report questionnaire and Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI)-Auto at age 21. Associations were adjusted for a range of potential confounders. Additional adjustment was carried out for variables measured at age 14-youth behaviour problems [Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)], tobacco use and alcohol use. After adjustment, substantiated child maltreatment was associated with any life-time cannabis use [odds ratio (OR)=1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08-2.39], cannabis use prior to age 17 (OR=2.47, 95% CI=1.67-3.65), daily cannabis use (OR=2.68, 95% CI=1.49-4.81) and DSM-IV cannabis abuse/dependence (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.07-2.77). Externalizing behaviour and tobacco and alcohol use at age 14 were associated significantly with almost all cannabis outcomes (P<0.05), with internalizing behaviour associated inversely (P<0.05). Children in Australia who are documented as having been maltreated are more likely to go on to use cannabis before the age of 17, use cannabis as an adult, use cannabis daily and meet DSM-IV criteria for cannabis dependence. Externalizing behaviour in adolescence appears partly to mediate the association with adult cannabis use.

Is personality a driving force for socioeconomic differences in young adults\u2019 health care use? A prospective cohort study

ObjectivesTo relate personality characteristics at the age of 12 to socioeconomic differences in health care use in young adulthood. And thereby examining the extent to which socioeconomic differences in the use of health care in young adulthood are based on differences in personality characteristics, independent of the (parental) socioeconomic background.MethodsPersonality of more than 13,000 Dutch 12-year old participants was related to their health and socioeconomic position after a follow-up of 13 years (when the participants had become young adults).ResultsIn young adulthood, low socioeconomic status was related to high health care use (e.g. low education -hospital admission: OR = 2.21; low income -GP costs: OR = 1.25). Odds ratios (for the socioeconomic health differences) did not decrease when controlled for personality.ConclusionsIn this Dutch sample of younger people, personality appeared not to be a driving force for socioeconomic differences in health care use. Findings thus do not support the personality-related, indirect selection perspective on the explanation of socioeconomic differences in health.

Reward-Related Ventral Striatum Activity Links Polygenic Risk for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder to Problematic Alcohol Use in Young Adulthood

BackgroundProblematic alcohol use in adolescence and adulthood is a common and often debilitating correlate of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Converging evidence suggests that ADHD and problematic alcohol use share a common additive genetic basis, which may be mechanistically related to reward-related brain function. In the current study, we examined whether polygenic risk for childhood ADHD is linked to problematic alcohol use in young adulthood through alterations in reward-related activity of the ventral striatum, a neural hub supporting appetitive behaviors and reinforcement learning. MethodsGenomic, neuroimaging, and self-report data were available for 404 non-Hispanic European American participants who completed the ongoing Duke Neurogenetics Study. Polygenic risk scores for childhood ADHD were calculated based on a genome-wide association study meta-analysis conducted by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and tested for association with reward-related ventral striatum activity, measured using a number-guessing functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm, and self-reported problematic alcohol use. A mediational model tested whether ventral striatum activity indirectly links polygenic risk for ADHD to problematic alcohol use. ResultsDespite having no main effect on problematic alcohol use, polygenic risk for childhood ADHD was indirectly associated with problematic alcohol use through increased reward-related ventral striatum activity. ConclusionsIndividual differences in reward-related brain function may, at least in part, mechanistically link polygenic risk for childhood ADHD to problematic alcohol use.

Liens entre maltraitance pendant l’enfance ou l’adolescence et consommations de substances à risque chez les jeunes adultes

AimsMaltreatment during childhood or adolescence has been linked to later physical and social-emotional symptoms, and in particular to the use of risk-related substances. This paper draws up a review of the literature concerning the relationships between childhood maltreatment and risk-related substance use in young adulthood, which is known to be a period of increased psychological vulnerability. MethodA comprehensive literature review was conducted on several online databases with a set of predefined keywords. Only empirical, prospective or retrospective studies, published from the year 2000 onwards and specifically relating to the effects of childhood maltreatment on risk-related substance use in young adulthood were selected. ResultsThis literature review clearly supports the link between childhood maltreatment and an increased risk of legal and illegal substance use. However, most available studies are retrospective and/or correlational and therefore do not enable prospective exploration of the processes that link these two phenomena. The main explanatory hypotheses are based on the long-term consequences of childhood exposure to a multi-risk psychosocial environment or to dysfunctional parental models, on disturbances in the construction of attachment, on lack of emotional regulation and mentalisation, and on the neurodevelopmental impact of trauma. DiscussionDespite the significant body of research demonstrating its long-term effects, child abuse is still widespread, often unrecognized, and the children concerned are not protected. However, relatively few studies provide an analysis of subsequent risk-related substance use taking into account all types of maltreatment. Emotional abuse and neglect may be deemed less harmful and/or may be more difficult to identify, leading to their exclusion from some of the studies that only consider physical, severe and/or legally established forms of abuse, which results in some bias. ConclusionThis review stresses not only the need for improvement in early prevention strategies targeting parents and child care professionals, but also for implementation of prevention and support programs directed towards young adults with a past history of childhood abuse.

Romantic relationships and alcohol use: A long-term, developmental perspective.

This study considers the developmental origins of alcohol use in young adulthood. Despite substantial evidence linking committed romantic relationships to less problematic alcohol use in adulthood, the uniformity of these protective benefits across different romantic relationships is unclear. Further, the extent to which the establishment and maintenance of these romantic relationships is preceded by earlier adolescence alcohol use remains unknown. To address these gaps in the literature, the current study utilized multitiple-dimensional, multiple-informant data spanning 20 years on 585 individuals in the Child Development Project. Findings from both variable- and person-centered analyses support a progression of associations predicting adolescent alcohol use (ages 15-16), drinking, and romantic relationships in early adulthood (ages 18-25), and then problematic young adult alcohol use (age 27). Although adolescent alcohol use predicted greater romantic involvement and turnover in early adulthood, romantic involvement, but not turnover, appeared to reduce the likelihood of later problematic drinking. These findings remained robust even after accounting for a wide array of selection and socialization factors. Moreover, characteristics of the individuals (e.g., gender) and of their romantic relationships (e.g., partner substance use problems and romantic relationship satisfaction) did not moderate these findings. Findings underscore the importance of using a developmental-relational perspective to consider the antecedents and consequences of alcohol use early in the life span.

Competitive sports participation in high school and subsequent substance use in young adulthood: Assessing differences based on level of contact.

The objective of this analysis is to examine how participation in different types of competitive sports (based on level of contact) during high school is associated with substance use 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade. The analysis uses nationally representative samples of 12th graders from the Monitoring the Future Study who were followed 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade. The longitudinal sample consisted of 970 12th graders from six recent cohorts (2006-2011). The analyses found that respondents who participated in at least one competitive sport during the 12th grade had greater odds of binge drinking during the past two weeks (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.43, 2.90) 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade, when compared to their peers who did not participate in sports during their 12th grade year. Moreover, respondents who participated in high-contact sports (i.e., football, ice hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling) had greater odds of binge drinking (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.18, 2.72) and engaging in marijuana use during the past 30 days (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.93) 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade when compared to their peers who did not participate in these types of sports during their 12th grade year. Accordingly, the findings indicate important distinctions in sport participation experiences on long-term substance use risk that can help inform potential interventions among young athletes.

The Availability of Substances in Adolescence: Influences in Emerging Adulthood

ABSTRACTThis study examines the availability of substances in the home during adolescence and its influence on substance use in young adulthood. Data are drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The final sample consisted of approximately 15,000 cases from Waves 1, 3, and 4. Multivariate analyses indicate that the availability of substances in the home affects young adult substance use and substance use in later young adulthood. We also find that the availability of substances in the home during adolescence is associated with an earlier age at first substance use. This study offers further evidence for understanding how the home environment affects substance use behavior among young adults. In this case, exposure to substances in adolescence, and their easy availability, increase the likelihood of substance use in adolescence and increases use in young adulthood.

Minority stress is longitudinally associated with alcohol-related problems among sexual minority women

Compared to sexual minority men and heterosexual women, sexual minority women report elevated alcohol use in young adulthood. Heavy alcohol use and alcohol use disorders disproportionately affect sexual minority women across the lifespan, yet there is limited research investigating reasons for such associations. The present study investigates longitudinal associations between minority stress and both alcohol use as well as self-rated drinking consequences. Participants (N=1057) were self-identified lesbian (40.5%) and bisexual (59.5%) women between the ages of 18 to 25 recruited from across the U.S. using online advertisements. Participants completed four annual surveys. Hurdle mixed effects models were used to assess associations between minority stress and typical weekly drinking and drinking consequences one year later. Minority stress was not significantly associated with subsequent typical drinking. However, minority stress was significantly associated with having any alcohol consequences as well as the count of alcohol consequences one year later after controlling for covariates. Consistent with extant literature, this study provides evidence for a prospective association between minority stress experienced by sexual minority women and drinking consequences. This study also provides support for the potential impact of efforts to reduce minority stress faced by sexual minority women.

Predicting later problematic cannabis use from psychopathological symptoms during childhood and adolescence: Results of a 25-year longitudinal study

BackgroundCannabis is the most commonly used illegal substance among adolescents and young adults. Problematic cannabis use is often associated with comorbid psychopathological problems. The purpose of the current study was to elucidate the underlying developmental processes connecting externalizing and internalizing psychopathology in childhood and adolescence with problematic cannabis use in young adulthood. MethodsData were drawn from the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk, an ongoing epidemiological cohort study from birth to adulthood. For n=307 participants, symptom scores of conduct/oppositional defiant disorder, attention problems, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and internalizing disorders were available for the periods of childhood (4.5–11 years) and adolescence (15 years). At age 25 years, problematic cannabis use was assessed via clinical interview and a self-rating questionnaire. ResultsAt age 25 years, problematic cannabis use was identified in n=28 participants (9.1%). Childhood conduct/oppositional behavior problems were predictive of problematic cannabis use during young adulthood when comorbid symptoms were controlled for. No such effect was found for childhood attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity or internalizing problems. With respect to psychopathological symptoms during adolescence, only attention problems were significantly related to later problematic cannabis use when controlling for comorbidity. ConclusionsThe current study highlights the role of conduct/oppositional behavior problems during childhood and attention problems during adolescence in later problematic cannabis use. It sheds more light on the developmental sequence of childhood and adolescence psychopathology and young adult cannabis use, which is a prerequisite for effective prevention approaches.