Citation

Dembo R, Krupa J, Wareham J, Schmeidler J, DiClemente RJ. J. Child Adolesc. Subst. Abuse 2017; 26(3): 192-204.

Affiliation

Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1067828X.2016.1260510

PMID

28507425

PMCID

PMC5428891

Abstract

Truant youth are likely to engage in a number of problem behaviors, including sexual risky behaviors. Previous research involving non-truant youth has found sexual risk behaviors to be related to marijuana use and depression, with differential effects for male and female youth. Using data collected in a NIDA funded, prospective intervention project, results are reported of a male-female, multi-group, longitudinal analysis of the relationships among truant youth baseline sexual risk behavior, marijuana use, and depression, and their sexual risk behavior over four follow-up time points.

RESULTS indicated support for the longitudinal model, with female truants having higher depression scores, and showing stronger relationships between baseline depression and future engagement in sexual risk behavior, than male truants.

FINDINGS suggest that incorporating strategies to reduce depression and marijuana use may decrease youth sexual risk behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

STD; depression; marijuana use; sexual risk; truancy; truants