Introduction
Adolescents receiving mental health services are at an increased risk of substance usage. This is a concern that necessitates deeper understanding of contributing factors. This study investigates substance use patterns among youth aged 12 to 18 in Ontario, Canada. The research compares the youth in community-based mental health services to peers in residential treatment facilities. The study aims to identify risks and protective factors that influence substance use within these populations.
Methods
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected between 2012 and 2020. This encompassed 47,418 youths in community settings and 700 in residential care. The team performed assessments using the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Assessment (ChYMH). The assessment focused on any substance usage, including alcohol, reported within 14 to 30 days before evaluation. Researchers also employed statistical analysis, including logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. The tools examined associations between substance use and various psychosocial, environmental, and clinical factors.
Findings
The study revealed that 22.3% of youth in community care and 37% in residential settings reported recent substance use. Older adolescents exhibited higher usage rates. Key risk factors linked to increased substance use included history of abuse or trauma, self-injurious thoughts or behaviors, academic difficulties, and living with a caregiver that uses substances. Conversely, the presence of anxiety symptoms or certain cognitive challenges linked to a decreased likelihood of substance use. This suggests complex interactions between mental health conditions and substance use behaviors.
Implications
The findings underscore the necessity for integrated mental health and substance use services tailored to youth needs. Early intervention strategies, particularly those addressing trauma and family dynamics, are crucial. Strengthening support systems with families and educational institutions can serve as protective factors against substance use among adolescents.
Limitations
While the study’s large sample size enhances its reliability, certain limitations exist. The cross-sectional design precludes casual inferences, and reliance on self-reported data can introduce reporting biases. Also, the study does not necessarily account for all variables influencing substance abuse, like socioeconomic status or cultural factors.
Reference
Aderibigbe, O.O., Stewart, S.L., Hirdes, J.P., & Perlman, C. (2022). Substance Use among Youth in Community and Residential Mental Health Care Facilities in Ontario, Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1731.
About the Author
Maryam Dawood is an Honours Bachelor of Science graduate in Forensic Psychology from the University of Toronto, with research experience centered on legal decision-making, correctional psychology, and the stigmatization of offenders. She intends to pursue a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology, where she will explore wrongful convictions and self-stigma among justice-involved individuals to support evidence-based reforms and rehabilitation. Connect with Maryam on LinkedIn.
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