Dataset Information

Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time.

ABSTRACT: AIMS:Amid changing marijuana policies in the Southern Cone, we examined relationships between marijuana-related risk factors and marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay from 2001 to 2016. METHODS:Using cross-sectional surveys from 8th, 10th, and 12th graders and weighted time-varying effect models, we estimated associations between perceived risk (no/low risk versus moderate/great risk) and perceived availability (easy/very easy versus difficult/very difficult/not able to obtain) of marijuana, and any past-month marijuana use. RESULTS:In all countries, marijuana use increased over time and adolescents who perceived no/low risk and easy availability had higher odds of use. In Argentina, the bivariate risk/use association weakened from 2001 (OR?=?15.24, 95%CI?=?9.63, 24.12) to 2004 [OR?=?3.86 (2.72, 5.48)] and strengthened until 2011 [OR?=?8.22 (7.56, 10.30)]; the availability/use association strengthened from 2005 [OR?=?5.32 (4.05, 6.98)] to 2009 [OR?=?20.77 (15.57, 27.70)] and weakened until 2014 [OR?=?11.00 (9.11, 13.27)]. In Chile, the risk/use association weakened from 2001 [OR?=?7.22 (6.57, 7.95)] to 2015 [OR?=?5.58 (4.82, 6.48)]; the availability/use association weakened from 2001 [OR?=?5.92 (4.96, 7.06)] to 2015 [OR?=?4.10 (3.15, 5.34)]. In Uruguay, the risk/use association weakened from 2003 [OR?=?34.22 (22.76, 51.46)] to 2016 [OR?=?6.23 (4.96, 7.83)]; the availability/use association weakened from 2005 [OR?=?29.13 (13.39, 63.39) to 2007 [OR?=?9.42 (3.85, 23.07)], and strengthened until 2016 [OR?=?22.68 (12.03, 42.76)]. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, the association between risk and use weakened in all countries, suggesting risk perceptions became a weaker determinant of marijuana use. Perceived availability remained strongly associated with use and may become an increasingly important driver of use (particularly in Uruguay and Argentina).

SUBMITTER: Schleimer JP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7075484 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time.

Schleimer Julia P JP Rivera-Aguirre Ariadne E AE Castillo-Carniglia Alvaro A Laqueur Hannah S HS Rudolph Kara E KE Suárez Héctor H Ramírez Jessica J Cadenas Nora N Somoza Matías M Brasesco Maria V MV Martins Silvia S SS Cerdá Magdalena M

Drug and alcohol dependence 20190612

<h4>Aims</h4>Amid changing marijuana policies in the Southern Cone, we examined relationships between marijuana-related risk factors and marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay from 2001 to 2016.<h4>Methods</h4>Using cross-sectional surveys from 8<sup>th</sup>, 10<sup>th</sup>, and 12<sup>th</sup> graders and weighted time-varying effect models, we estimated associations between perceived risk (no/low risk versus moderate/great risk) and perceived availability (easy/very ...[more]

PMID: 31207452

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Project description:Discriminatory behaviors among inter-ethnic relations in schools have long been noted and studied, but there are several correlations between discriminatory behaviors and other constructs that need further investigation. As an example, the relation between perceived discrimination and contextual problems-which include family, school and peer problems-among children and adolescents in Latin America has received little attention from previous studies. Further, the mediating role of ethnic identification and collective self-esteem in this relation also needs to be considered as they could be proven as protective factors for discriminatory behavior and its outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to, first, establish the relationship between perceived discrimination and contextual problems in inter-ethnic students aged 8-19 years living in Arica, Chile; and second, to identify the role that ethnic identification and collective self-esteem play within this relation. In order to investigate this matter, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 3700 students in 29 schools between the fourth year of primary education and the last year of secondary education, aged between 9-18 years, with 48.4% men and 51.6% women. The sample was divided into primary and secondary school groups. The scales utilized were the Everyday Discrimination Scale, Multi-Group Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised Scale, Collective Self-Esteem Scale and the dimensions of contextual family, school and peer problems, as well as the general index of contextual problems of the Child and Adolescent Assessment System. For data analysis, we tested a path analytic model at both the within and between levels to account for the relations between variables. In each group the models obtained an optimal fit. We found that perceived discrimination and ethnic identification were directly related to contextual problems (.23-.39), and collective self-esteem had only a mediating role. This study showed that strategized interventions focusing on ethnic identification and perceived discrimination should be utilized by schools to create a better developing environment.

Project description:To test, among US students: (1) whether perceived harmfulness of marijuana has changed over time, (2) whether perceived harmfulness of marijuana changed post-passage of state medical marijuana laws (MML) compared with pre-passage; and (3) whether perceived harmfulness of marijuana statistically mediates and/or modifies the relation between MML and marijuana use as a function of grade level.Cross-sectional nationally representative surveys of US students, conducted annually, 1991-2014, in the Monitoring the Future study.Surveys conducted in schools in all coterminous states; 21 states passed MML between 1996 and 2014.The sample included 1?134?734 adolescents in 8th, 10th and 12th grades.State passage of MML; perceived harmfulness of marijuana use (perceiving great or moderate risk to health from smoking marijuana occasionally versus slight or no risk); and marijuana use (prior 30 days). Data were analyzed using time-varying multi-level regression modeling.The perceived harmfulness of marijuana has decreased significantly since 1991 (from an estimated 84.0% in 1991 to 53.8% in 2014, P < 0.01) and, across time, perceived harmfulness was lower in states that passed MML [odds ratio (OR) = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75-0.97]. In states with MML, perceived harmfulness of marijuana increased among 8th graders after MML passage (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08-1.36), while marijuana use decreased (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.72-0.92). Results were null for other grades, and for all grades combined. Increases in perceived harmfulness among 8th graders after MML passage was associated with ~33% of the decrease in use. When adolescents were stratified by perceived harmfulness, use in 8th graders decreased to a greater extent among those who perceived marijuana as harmful.While perceived harmfulness of marijuana use appears to be decreasing nationally among adolescents in the United States, the passage of medical marijuana laws (MML) is associated with increases in perceived harmfulness among young adolescents and marijuana use has decreased among those who perceive marijuana to be harmful after passage of MML.

Dataset Information

Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time.

Publications

Investigating how perceived risk and availability of marijuana relate to marijuana use among adolescents in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay over time.

Similar Datasets

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