A Trajectory Analysis of Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Latino Adolescents in San Francisco, California

Overview

Journal J Adolesc Health

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2010 Nov 25

PMID 21094433

Citations 5

Authors

Sandra I McCoy

Nicholas P Jewell

Alan Hubbard

Caitlin E Gerdts

Irene A Doherty

Nancy S Padian

Alexandra M Minnis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: We examined alcohol and marijuana use trajectories among Latino adolescents in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Methods: A total of 410 Latino adolescents aged 14-19 years were recruited from community venues from years 2001 to 2004 and followed up for 2 years. In separate models, we identified groups with similar temporal patterns of alcohol and marijuana use using semi-parametric latent group trajectory modeling. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the probability of trajectory group membership.

Results: The use of alcohol (76%) and marijuana (55%) in the previous 6 months was common. Three alcohol-use trajectories were identified: low users (18%), moderate users (37%), and frequent users (45%). Low alcohol users (vs. moderate users) were found to be younger in age, preferred Spanish language, and had more parental monitoring. Frequent users were more likely to be male, sexually active, gang exposed, and have less parental monitoring than moderate users. Similarly, three marijuana-use trajectories were identified: low users (36%), moderate users (35%), and frequent users (28%), with similar correlates of group membership.

Conclusions: Urban Latino adolescents' substance use is shaped by complex cultural and environmental influences. Patterns of substance use emerge by early adolescence highlighting the need for timely intervention.

Citing Articles

Neighborhood, Peer, and Parental Influences on Minor and Major Substance Use of Latino and Black Adolescents.

Sigal M, Ross B, Behnke A, Plunkett S Children (Basel). 2021; 8(4).

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Efficacy of the Young Women's CoOp: An HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention for Substance-Using African-American Female Adolescents in the South.

Wechsberg W, Browne F, Zule W, Novak S, Doherty I, Kline T J Child Adolesc Subst Abuse. 2017; 26(3):205-218.

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Alcohol and marijuana use trajectories in a diverse longitudinal sample of adolescents: examining use patterns from age 11 to 17 years.

DAmico E, Tucker J, Miles J, Ewing B, Shih R, Pedersen E Addiction. 2016; 111(10):1825-35.

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Gang membership and marijuana use among African American female adolescents in North Carolina.

Wechsberg W, Doherty I, Browne F, Kline T, Carry M, Raiford J Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2015; 6:141-50.

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Homies with aspirations and positive peer network ties: associations with reduced frequent substance use among gang-affiliated Latino youth.

van Dommelen-Gonzalez E, Deardorff J, Herd D, Minnis A J Urban Health. 2015; 92(2):322-37.

PMID: 25649980 PMC: 4411312. DOI: 10.1007/s11524-014-9922-3.

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