Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted adolescent behavior, particularly in terms of substance use. A recent study titled "Polysubstance use and its correlation with psychosocial and health risk behaviours among more than 95,000 Norwegian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic" provides valuable insights into the substance use profiles of adolescents and their associated risk factors. This blog aims to explore the findings of this study and discuss how practitioners can leverage these insights to improve outcomes for children.
Understanding Substance Use Profiles
The study utilized latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify three distinct substance use profiles among Norwegian adolescents:
- Non-users: Comprising 91% of the sample, these adolescents reported minimal or no substance use.
- Snus and Alcohol Users: Making up 7% of the sample, these adolescents primarily used snus and alcohol.
- Polysubstance Users: Representing 2% of the sample, these adolescents used multiple substances, including alcohol, cannabis, and other illicit drugs.
These profiles provide a framework for understanding the varying degrees of substance use and the associated psychosocial and health risk factors.
Key Findings and Implications
The study identified several correlates of polysubstance use, including:
- Demographics: Boys and older adolescents were more likely to be polysubstance users.
- Socioeconomic Status: Adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to engage in polysubstance use.
- Parental Influence: Lower parental control and higher parental permissiveness towards alcohol use were significant risk factors.
- Mental Health: Higher levels of depressive symptoms and loneliness were associated with polysubstance use.
- COVID-19 Impact: Adolescents experiencing more COVID-19-related mental health and social problems were at higher risk of polysubstance use.
These findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to prevention and intervention that addresses multiple risk factors across various domains of adolescents' lives.
Practical Applications for Practitioners
Practitioners can leverage these insights to develop targeted interventions that address the specific needs of adolescents at risk of polysubstance use. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Early Identification: Use screening tools to identify adolescents at risk based on demographic and psychosocial factors.
- Family Engagement: Work with families to enhance parental monitoring and reduce permissiveness towards substance use.
- Mental Health Support: Provide access to mental health resources to address depressive symptoms and loneliness.
- COVID-19 Support: Develop programs that specifically address the mental health and social challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of polysubstance use and the efficacy of various intervention strategies. Practitioners are encouraged to collaborate with researchers to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this area.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Polysubstance use and its correlation with psychosocial and health risk behaviours among more than 95,000 Norwegian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic (January to May 2021): a latent profile analysis.
