Predictors and consequences of prescription drug misuse during middle school

Abstract

Objectives Non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is a growing public health problem among adolescents. This is the first study to examine the correlates of early NMPDU initiation during middle school, and how early initiation is associated with four domains of functioning in high school (mental health, social, academic, and delinquency). Methods Students initially in 6th-8th grades from 16 middle schools completed in-school surveys between 2008 and 2011 (Waves 1-5), and a web-based survey in 2013-2014 (Wave 6). We used discrete time survival analysis to assess predictors of initiation from Waves 1-5 based on students who provided NMPDU information at any of these waves (n=12,904), and regression analysis to examine high school outcomes associated with initiation based on a sample that was followed into high school, Wave 6 (n=2,539). Results Low resistance self-efficacy, family substance use, low parental respect, and offers of other substances from peers were consistently associated with NMPDU initiation throughout middle school. Further, perceiving that more of one's peers engaged in other substance use was associated with initiation at Wave 1 only. By high school, those students who initiated NMPDU during middle school reported lower social functioning, and more suspensions and fighting, compared to students who did not initiate NMPDU during middle school. Conclusion NMPDU initiation during middle school is associated with poorer social functioning and greater delinquency in high school. It is important for middle school prevention programs to address NMPDU. Such programs should focus on both family and peer influences, as well as strengthening resistance self-efficacy.

Individual, peer, and family factor modification of neighborhood-level effects on adolescent alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use

“…A total of 14,979 students across all 16 schools received parental consent forms; 92% (n = 13,785) of parents returned this form. Approximately 71% (n = 9,828) of parents gave consent for their child to participate and 94% (n = 8,932) of students who gave assent and completed the survey (D’Amico et al, 2012a; D’Amico et al, 2016; Tucker et al, 2015). The recruited sample was comparable to the racial/ethnic composition of the relevant school populations based on published demographic information for the schools.…”

Non-medical use of prescription drugs by young men: impact of potentially traumatic events and of social-environmental stressors

“…Stressors such as parents being treated for chronic pain or having their own problems with NMUPD or SU are well established risk factors for the initiation of NMUPD in adolescents (Boyd et al, 2006; Nargiso, Ballard, & Skeer, 2015; Tucker et al, 2015). Thus, when assessing the influence of this family factor on NMUPD, one would have expected stronger associations.…”

“…As to the influence of family factors, it has been shown that adolescents were less likely to engage in NMUPD when they had strong, positive bonds with their family or school environments (Ford, 2009). It was also shown that adolescents with a respectful attitude towards their parents were at decreased risk to practice NMUPD, whereas SU by parents was identified as a risk factor for NMUPD by their children (Tucker et al, 2015). With regard to peer influence, factors such as peers offering substances and peer approval of SU were also shown to be associated with increased NMUPD (Tucker et al, 2015).…”

“…It was also shown that adolescents with a respectful attitude towards their parents were at decreased risk to practice NMUPD, whereas SU by parents was identified as a risk factor for NMUPD by their children (Tucker et al, 2015). With regard to peer influence, factors such as peers offering substances and peer approval of SU were also shown to be associated with increased NMUPD (Tucker et al, 2015). Other factors, such as perceptions of peers’ SU (D’Amico & McCarthy, 2006) or peers’ attitudes to SU, have also been established to influence NMUPD in adolescents (Ford, 2008b; Peralta & Steele, 2010).…”

Alcohol mixed with energy drinks: Associations with risky drinking and functioning in high school

“…On the same scale, participants rated how often in the past year they had driven after drinking or using drugs, or been a passenger in a car with a driver who had been drinking or using drugs; these two items were combined into a dichotomous indicator of ever driving under the influence (DUI) or riding with a driver under the influence (RWDUI) (Ewing et al, 2015). Finally, four items assessed use of other substances in the past 30 days (0= 0 days to 6= 20–30 days ): marijuana (Ellickson et al, 2003), inhalants and over-the-counter medicines to get high (WestEd, 2008), and prescription medicines to get high (Tucker et al, 2015). Given the distributions of these variables, each was dichotomized (0= no , 1= yes ) prior to analysis.…”