Chapter 3: Psychological Functioning and Adolescent Substance Use

This chapter examines the association between psychological functioning and use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs among adolescents using the combined 1994-1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. The 1994-1996 NHSDA includes mental health data that was not previously available. The association between substance use and the severity of emotional or behavioral problems is examined in a nationally representative sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population age 12 and older. Findings are presented for the entire sample and for early (ages 12 to 13), middle (ages 14 to 15) and late (ages 16 to 17) male and female adolescents.

3.1 Introduction

Early signs of emotional disorders frequently appear during adolescence. Substance use often begins and escalates during adolescence as well. However, the relationship between adolescents' substance use and predisposing psychological factors remains poorly understood.

3.2 Substance Use Among Adolescents

Table 3.1 presents age and gender patterns for indicators of substance use, including measures pertaining to alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and illicit drugs. For every measure considered,5 the prevalence is highest among older adolescents (ages 16 to 17), followed by middle adolescents (ages 14 to 15). Prevalence rates are generally lowest among early adolescents (ages 12 to 13). This pattern, observed for both males and females, underscores the critical significance of the adolescent period of development.

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5 The percentages in Table 3.1 and subsequent tables are based on cross-sectional rather than longitudinal or panel data.

This page was last updated on August 05, 2008.

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