In a previous analysis, presented at the APHA 128th annual meeting in Boston, percent prevalence of past month tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse were plotted for males and females in sequential age cohorts to describe substance use trends from 1982 to 1999. Among the interesting findings was a consistently small or non-existent gender gap in substance use in the 12 – 17 year old cohort, and a widening of that gap in subsequent cohorts. In the present paper we extend this analysis by disaggregating age cohort and gender prevalence to determine how different age groups within cohorts behave over time and whether a gender by age interaction better elucidates the trends observed. Chi-square analyses are performed to determine whether significant differences within and between age and gender cohorts exist. Graphical representations of numerous trends are presented. In-depth analysis of disaggregated cohorts helps reveal key time periods in adolescence when substance use patterns change. Hypotheses relating to human development, risk-taking behavior and gender related behaviors are discussed as possible frameworks to explicate observed trend data. Review of these trends can have important implications for targeting substance use/abuse prevention strategies to adolescents and other groups.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Drug Use, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: SAMHSA
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.