Teen Substance Use Linked to Psychiatric Symptoms
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Jan. 30, 2024 -- Adolescent substance use is associated with psychiatric symptoms, including suicidal thoughts, according to a research letter published online Jan. 29 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Brenden Tervo-Clemmens, Ph.D., from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and colleagues examined associations between commonly used substances and psychiatric symptoms among adolescents in two samples: students from 36 Massachusetts high schools who completed the 2022 to 2023 Substance Use and Risk Factor (SURF) Survey and analogous self-reported items from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Data were included for 15,626 SURF participants and 17,232 YRBS participants.
The researchers found significant, moderate dose-dependent associations for alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use with worse psychiatric symptoms, including suicidal thoughts in SURF and YRBS, depressive or anxiety symptoms and inattention or hyperactivity in SURF, and general mental health in YRBS. Ever versus never use of each substance was associated with higher psychiatric symptoms for all symptom measures in SURF and YRBS in pair-wise comparisons. Consistent associations with moderate increases in symptoms were seen for daily or near-daily use versus ever use, while weekly or monthly use was not associated with symptoms.
"This pattern of multiple substances associated with multiple psychiatric comorbidities emphasizes transdiagnostic and comprehensive psychiatric screening, intervention and prevention, and policy for adolescents with substance use involvement," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical and information technology industries.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted January 2024
Read this next
Allergy-Related Psychological Distress Common
TUESDAY, July 2, 2024 -- Psychological distress related to food allergies (FA) is common globally, according to a study published online June 21 in Allergy. Rebecca C...
Health Status, Mental Health Worsened in U.S. Transgender Adults From 2014 to 2022
TUESDAY, June 25, 2024 -- Health status, mental health, and health inequities worsened in the United States from 2014 to 2022 among transgender (TGD) adults, according to a...
Maternal Distress Tied to Changes in Brain Growth of Offspring
FRIDAY, June 21, 2024 -- Regional neonatal brain volumes are associated with elevated maternal psychological distress, according to a study published online June 20 in JAMA...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.