Age-Specific Associations Between Violence Exposure and Past 30-Day Marijuana and Alcohol Use

J Res Adolesc. 2019 Jun;29(2):480-492. doi: 10.1111/jora.12399. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

Abstract

Using data from a cohort study of students at risk for high school dropout, we examined associations between violence exposure and past 30-day alcohol and marijuana use. We used varying-coefficient regression with person-level fixed effects to estimate how those associations changed within-person across ages approximately 14-23. Generally, violence perpetration was most strongly associated with substance use, within-person. Substance use became increasingly associated with both observed violence and violence perpetration during early/middle adolescence; this increase continued longer into development (age 18+) for alcohol use. Across most of the age range studied here, violence victimization was minimally associated with within-person changes in substance use. Results indicate age-specific associations between violence exposure and alcohol and other drug use, which may be useful for informing prevention strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Exposure to Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Use / epidemiology*
  • Time Factors