Risky driving and sexual behaviors as developmental outcomes of co-occurring substance use and antisocial behavior

Abstract

PURPOSE To examine the associations between substance use and antisocial behavior trajectories and seven risky behaviors over time. METHOD Data were collected from a high-risk sample of adolescents followed into young adulthood. Five trajectory classes, identified based on dual development of substance use and antisocial behavior symptoms, were used to predict three risky driving and four risky sexual behaviors. RESULTS In this high-risk sample, participants reported notably high overall rates of reckless driving (55.5%) and unprotected sex under the influence (44.8%) in the past year. Risky behaviors that are typically of low base rates in population-based studies were also elevated, with 8.8% reporting past-year driving under the influence (DUI) charge, 17.6% reporting lifetime sexually transmitted infection (STI), and 10.4% reporting lifetime injection drug use. The Dual Chronic class had the highest levels of all seven risky behaviors, and were 3–4 times more likely to report risky driving, lifetime STI, and injection drug use than the Relatively Resolved class. Rates of past-year reckless driving and DUI were elevated among classes with persistent antisocial behavior, whereas rates of DUI, DUI charge, and unprotected sex under the influence were elevated among classes with persistent substance use. CONCLUSIONS Young adults with persistent co-occurring substance use and antisocial behavior engage in multiple very costly risky behaviors. Differential associations between risky behaviors and trajectory classes highlight the need for targeted interventions.

Comparing theoretical models for the understanding of health-risk behaviour: Towards an integrative model of adolescent alcohol consumption

“…Given the vulnerability for alterations in brain structure and function during adolescent age, alcohol may cause neurocognitive, learning and mental health problems ( Feldstein Ewing, Sakhardande, & Blakemore, 2014 ; Marshall, 2014 ). As well, alcohol consumption may alter social and behavioural functioning, leading to emotional difficulties ( Tomlinson, Brown, & Abrantes, 2004 ), comorbid substance use ( Luk et al, 2016 ), violent conduct and risky sexual behaviours ( Komro, Tobler, Maldonado-Molina, & Perry, 2010 ). Besides this, alcohol can be considered as a risk factor for premature mortality among adolescents in Europe ( Inchley et al, 2018 ) due to its potential harmful and adverse consequences, such as unintentional injuries, road-traffic accidents and suicidal behaviours ( Maldonado-Molina, Reingle, Tobler, & Komro, 2010 ; Swahn, Bossarte, Ashby, & Meyers, 2010 ).…”

Sexual behavioural differences and risk-taking differences among born-abroad and native university students in Italy

“…According to the literature, our findings confirm that early sexual debuts (Muindia et al, 2014;Santelli et al, 2000) and risk-taking personality profiles (Lee & Hahm, 2010;Morales-Alemán & Scarinci, 2016) are positively associated with sexual behaviours (RQ2). In particular, the use of drugs and alcohol is strongly related to sexual conduct (Bryan et al, 2012;Guo et al, 2002;Khan et al, 2012;Luk et al, 2016;Ritchwood et al, 2016;Tapert et al, 2001). In line with Irwin (1990), reckless driving is directly associated with occasional sexual partners.…”

“…multiple sexual partners, early initiation of sexual intercourse, and not using condoms; Morales-Alemán & Scarinci, 2016). In particular, it was highlighted that binge drinking (Lee & Hahm, 2010) and drug use (Bryan, Schmiege, & Magnan, 2012;Guo et al, 2002;Khan, Berger, Wells, & Cleland, 2012;Luk et al, 2016;Ritchwood, DeCoster, Metzger, Bolland, & Danielson, 2016;Tapert, Aarons, Sedlar, & Brown, 2001) are associated with increased sexual risk behaviours; in addition, it was demonstrated that reckless driving is correlated with alcohol use, substance use, and sexual conduct (Adu-Frema, Saka, & Perrino, 1997;Irwin, 1990;Stanton, Li, Cottrell, & Kaljee, 2001).…”

Co-occurrence of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use among university students in Brazil

“…Therefore, its consumption is not seen as a habit to be discouraged or even considered by health professionals (27) . This is a public health issue that must be discussed given the potential health hazards of alcohol consumption (15) and its association with other high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving and unprotected sex (28) . It would be important to implement a policy of educating students to raise awareness of both health and social problems resulting from the use of substances, especially alcohol, given its high prevalence in this population.…”