A Latent Class Analysis of Age at Substance Use Initiation in Young Adults and its Association with Mental Health

This study aims to identify empirically-driven classes of age-of-onset across multiple substances (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) and to characterize the different classes in relation to mental health and substance use severity. The sample comprised 1,051 young adults (aged 18 –25; 61.9% women), recruited from universities and vocational schools in Spain, who reported lifetime alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires about demographics, substance use and mental health. A latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted using the age of onset of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use as an indicator. Three distinct classes were identified: C1 (45%), characterized by early alcohol and late cannabis and tobacco use; C2 (49.1%) presenting early alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use; and C3 (5.9%) showing late alcohol, cannabis, and tobacc o use. Classes 1 and 2 exhibited the poorest psychosocial functioning, and Class 2 showed the highest levels of impulsivity traits. There were within-class sex differences, which suggested poorer mental health in females. The findings support the idea that early-onset use of the three substances is common and that this pattern is associated with increased involvement in substance use and poor mental health.
Source: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Category: Addiction Source Type: research