@article{ref1,
title="Prevalence and patterns of polysubstance use in a nationally representative sample of 10th graders in the United States",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2013",
author="Conway, Kevin P. and Vullo, Genevieve C. and Nichter, Brandon M. and Wang, Jing and Compton, Wilson M. and Iannotti, Ronald J. and Simons-Morton, Bruce G.",
volume="52",
number="6",
pages="716-723",
abstract="PURPOSE: The current study examines the prevalence and demographic correlates of self-reported substance use and identifies subgroups of polysubstance users among a cohort of United States 10th-grade students. METHODS: A nationally representative school-based cohort of United States 10th-grade students completed the NEXT Generation Health Study baseline survey in spring 2010 (N = 2,524). RESULTS: Past-year use of marijuana was most common among illicit drugs (26%), followed by misuse of medication (9%) and use of other illicit drugs (8%). During the past month, alcohol use was reported by more than one third (35%), binge drinking by 27%, and cigarette smoking by 19%. Results further show that substance use varied somewhat by demographic characteristics. Results from the latent class analysis of polysubstance use indicated a four-class solution as the best-fitting model; class 1 (59%) included the nonuser group; class 2 (23%) comprised the predominant alcohol user group; class 3 (11%) formed the predominant marijuana user group; and class 4 (8%) was characterized as the predominant polysubstance user group. Somatic and depressive symptoms varied significantly by class membership, with predominant polysubstance users reporting elevated levels of somatic and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this national study of 10th-grade students indicate high rates of substance and polysubstance use. The high level of depressive and somatic symptoms among polysubstance users indicates the need for mental health screening and referral.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.12.006",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.12.006"
}