Substance use initiation and the prediction of subsequent academic achievement.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Meruelo AD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7334085 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:There is substantial evidence that good academic performance significantly enhances the prospects of success for adolescents in terms of employment, social status, quality of life and health. Identifying which factors are correlated to good academic achievement and which factors may need to be addressed by policies is crucial. Despite its importance, there is insufficient data concerning factors associated with academic achievement in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon. This study assessed the association of lifestyle, socio-demographics and motivational factors with academic achievement of Lebanese adolescents. Grade 10 and 11 Lebanese adolescents aged 15 to 18 years (n = 600), from private and public schools in Beirut and the Mount Lebanon area, completed a multi-component questionnaire assessing health behaviors, socio-demographic characteristics and motivational factors. Height and weight were physically measured and, subsequently, Body Mass Index was calculated. Academic achievement was assessed using self-reported grades and was categorized into high and low. Associations between all factors and academic achievement were tested using logistic regression models. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, high self-efficacy and intention were positively associated with academic achievement, whereas smoking was associated with poor achievement. Our findings support the need for targeting adolescents with an unhealthier lifestyle and focusing on socio-cognitive determinants interventions aimed at enhancing academic achievement.
| S-EPMC7284451 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo examine the association of perceived distress tolerance-one's ability to endure aversive experiences-with subsequent substance use frequency during adolescence.MethodsHigh school students (N = 3,203) were surveyed semiannually from 2013 to 2017. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) was administered at baseline (9th grade) and self-reported past 30-day number of days used of alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and opioids (range: 0-30) were assessed at all timepoints. Self-reported baseline ever (vs. never) use of each substance and depressive/anxiety symptom status (clinical and subclinical vs. none) were tested as moderators.ResultsAmong baseline never substance users, a greater baseline mean DTS score was associated with fewer days of alcohol, cigarette, and opioid use in past-30 days over 4 years of follow-up (IRR range = 0.60-0.84); among ever-users, baseline mean DTS was not significantly associated with substance use across follow-up timepoints (p-interaction = 0.03). The association of DTS and frequency of substance use did not differ by baseline mental health status for any substance (all ps > 0.05).ConclusionsGreater perceived distress tolerance at the start of high school may be a protective factor against substance use frequency prior to initial use. Interventions that build distress tolerance in early adolescence may be warranted to prevent higher frequency substance use throughout high school.
| S-EPMC8184616 | biostudies-literature
Project description:RationaleThe active component of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has a long half-life and widespread neurocognitive effects. There are inconsistent reports of neurocognitive deficits in adults and adolescents with cannabis use disorders (CUD), particularly after a period of abstinence.ObjectivesThis study aims to examine neurocognitive measures (IQ, academic achievement, attention, memory, executive functions) in abstinent adolescents with CUD, while controlling for demographic, psychopathology, and poly-substance confounders.MethodsWe investigated neurocognitive performance in three groups: adolescents with CUD after successful first treatment and in full remission (n = 33); controls with psychiatric disorders without substance use disorder history (n = 37); and healthy adolescents (n = 43).ResultsAdolescents with psychiatric disorders, regardless of CUD status, performed significantly worse than the healthy adolescents in academic achievement. No group differences were seen in IQ, attention, memory, or executive functions. Lower academic achievement was positively associated with younger age of CUD onset, regular cannabis use, and maximum daily use. In the CUD group, lifetime nicotine use episodes were negatively associated with IQ. Lower overall neurocognitive function was associated with younger age of onset of regular cannabis use and relapse within the 1 year follow-up.ConclusionsVerifiably, abstinent adolescents with CUD history did not differ from the two comparison groups, suggesting that previously reported neurocognitive deficits may be related to other factors, including residual drug effects, preexisting cognitive deficits, concurrent use of other substances (e.g., nicotine), or psychopathology. Adolescents with CUD may not be vulnerable to THC neuropsychological deficits once they achieve remission from all drugs for at least 30 days.
| S-EPMC3969383 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Given the frequency with which families change residences, the effects of childhood relocations have gained increasing research attention. Many researchers have demonstrated that childhood relocations are associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. However, drawing strong causal claims remains problematic due to uncontrolled confounding factors.We utilized longitudinal, population-based Swedish registers to generate a nationally representative sample of offspring born 1983-1997 (n = 1 510 463). Using Cox regression and logistic regression, we examined the risk for numerous adverse outcomes after childhood relocation while controlling for measured covariates. To account for unmeasured genetic and environmental confounds, we also compared differentially exposed cousins and siblings.In the cohort baseline model, each annual relocation was associated with risk for the adverse outcomes, including suicide attempt [hazard ratio (HR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-1.20]. However, when accounting for offspring and parental covariates (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.07-1.09), as well as genetic and environmental confounds shared by cousins (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.09) and siblings (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.97-1.04), the risk for suicide attempt attenuated. We found a commensurate pattern of results for severe mental illness, substance abuse, criminal convictions, and low academic achievement.Previous research may have overemphasized the independent association between relocations and later adverse outcomes. The results suggest that the association between childhood relocations and suicide attempt, psychiatric problems, and low academic achievement is partially explained by genetic and environmental confounds correlated with relocations. This study demonstrates the importance of using family-based, quasi-experimental designs to test plausible alternate hypotheses when examining causality.
| S-EPMC4775283 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAdolescence is a period of developmental flux when brain systems are vulnerable to influences of early substance use, which in turn relays increased risk for substance use disorders. Our study intent was to assess adolescent regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as it relates to current and future alcohol use. The aim was to identify brain-based predictors for initiation of alcohol use and onset of future substance use disorders.MethodsQuantitative rCBF was assessed in 100 adolescents (age 12-15). Prospective behavioral assessments were conducted annually over a three-year follow-up period to characterize onset of alcohol initiation, future drinking patterns and use disorders. Comparisons amongst use groups (i.e., current-, future-, and non-alcohol using adolescents) identified rCBF associated with initiation of alcohol use. Regression by future drinking patterns identified rCBF predictive of heavier drinking. Survival analysis determined whether or not baseline rCBF predicted later development of use disorders.ResultsBaseline rCBF was decreased to the parietal cortex and increased to mesolimbic regions in adolescents currently using alcohol as well as those who would use alcohol in the future. Higher baseline rCBF to the left fusiform gyrus and lower rCBF to the right inferior parietal cortex and left cerebellum was associated with future drinking patterns as well as predicted the onset of alcohol and substance use disorders in this cohort.ConclusionsVariations in resting rCBF to regions within reward and default mode or control networks appear to represent trait markers of alcohol use initiation and are predictive of future development of use disorders.
| S-EPMC4361292 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Prior research suggests a link between academic performance and alcohol use during adolescence, but the degree to which this association reflects actual protective effects continues to be debated. We investigated the role of genetic factors in the association between academic achievement and adolescent alcohol use and whether achievement might constrain the translation of genetic influences on drinking into actual behavior (a Gene × Environment interaction). Analysis of twin data from Add Health (n = 399 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs) revealed not only common genetic factors underlying the association between achievement and alcohol consumption but also evidence for a gene-environment interaction. Specifically, the protective effect of achievement operated by moderating heritability of alcohol use, which was particularly salient for adolescents at high genetic risk for alcohol use.
| S-EPMC5553450 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundOne of the most important indicators of the effectiveness of teaching can be the academic achievement of learners, which can be influenced by different factors such as learning methods and individual motivations. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of predicting academic achievement based on learning motivation strategies and outcome expectations based on a theoretical model.MethodsThis descriptive-analytic study was conducted with the participation of 380 male and female students of nine faculties of medical sciences of Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran. Multi-stage sampling along with the questionnaire of motivational strategies for learning and student outcome expectation scale were used for data collection. The college grade point average (CGPA) of students' past grades was considered as the academic performance variable. Data analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS software.ResultsThe mean score of the structure of learning strategies, motivational strategies, outcome expectations, and students' GPA did not show significant statistical differences in terms of gender, marital status, residence location, field of study, and educational level. There was a direct and significant relationship between the motivational strategies' structures (R = 0.193, p < 0.001) as well as learning strategies (R = 0.243, p < 0.001) and the CGPA, while there was no relationship between outcome expectations and CGPA. Path analysis revealed that self-regulating learning strategies and motivational strategies can predict the academic achievement of these students.ConclusionsConsidering the importance of active and independent learning among medical students, it is necessary for lecturers to use interactive and student-oriented patterns of teaching. Also, students should become familiar with self-regulating learning skills to better understand the information they receive.
| S-EPMC6451267 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PURPOSE:Adolescent involvement in cyberbullying is common and involves several roles (witness, perpetrator, or victim). Whether different cyberbullying roles are differentially associated with substance use is unknown. The present study examined the associations of adolescent cyberbullying involvement with use and polyuse of various substances. METHODS:A longitudinal cohort of students in Los Angeles, California (N = 2,768) completed surveys at baseline (10th grade, 2014, mean age = 15.5 years) and 12-month follow-up (11th grade, 2015). Five mutually exclusive cyberbullying roles were identified at baseline-no involvement; witness only; witness and victim; witness and perpetrator; and witness, victim, and perpetrator. Past 6-month use of nine substances and poly-use of multiple substances were assessed at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS:Most students (52.2%) were involved in >1 cyberbullying roles. Relative to no involvement, all cyberbullying roles, including witnessing only, were associated with increased odds of using most substances and polysubstance use at follow-up, after adjusting for sociodemographics and baseline substance use (odds ratios: 1.44 [95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.76] to 5.24 [2.73-10.05]). Relative to the witness-only role, students involved in all three roles were at greater odds of using several substances at follow-up (odds ratios: 1.47 [95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.05] to 2.96 [1.60-5.50]). CONCLUSIONS:Cyberbullying involvement, even witnessing, may be associated with future substance use in adolescence. All cyberbullying roles warrant consideration in understanding and preventing youth substance use.
| S-EPMC6814523 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Substance use remains a leading cause of preventable death globally. A model of intervention known as screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) was developed decades ago to facilitate time- and resource-sensitive interventions in acute care and outpatient settings. SBIRT, which includes a psychosocial intervention incorporating the principles of motivational interviewing, has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and consequences in unhealthy drinkers both in primary care and emergency department settings. Subsequently, SBIRT for unhealthy alcohol use has been endorsed by governmental agencies and professional societies in multiple countries. Although most trials support the efficacy of SBIRT for unhealthy alcohol use (McQueen et al. in Cochrane Database Syst Rev 8, 2011; Kaner et al. in Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2, 2007; O'Donnell et al. in Alcohol Alcohol 49(1):66-78, 2014), results are heterogenous; negative studies exist. A newer approach to screening and intervention for substance use can incorporate initiation of medication management at the index visit, for individuals willing to do so, and for providers and healthcare systems that are appropriately trained and resourced. Our group has conducted two successful trials of an approach we call screening, treatment initiation, and referral (STIR). In one trial, initiation of nicotine pharmacotherapy coupled with screening and brief counseling in adult smokers resulted in sustained biochemically confirmed abstinence. In a second trial, initiation of buprenorphine for opioid dependent individuals resulted in greater engagement in treatment at 30 days and greater self-reported abstinence. STIR may offer a new, clinically effective approach to the treatment of substance use in clinical care settings.
| S-EPMC5545867 | biostudies-other
Project description:IntroductionChildren with positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly (PPB) are at risk of early developmental delay, but little is known about early life factors associated with school-age neurodevelopment. This study examined associations of demographic characteristics, prenatal risk factors and early neurodevelopment assessment with school-age IQ, academic performance, and motor development in children with PPB.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 235 school-age children with PPB followed since infancy. Outcome measures included IQ using the Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition, academic achievement as measured by the Wechsler Individualized Achievement Tests-Third Edition), and motor function using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition. Linear regression was used to examine the incremental improvement of model fit of demographics, prenatal and early life characteristics, severity of PPB, and neurodevelopment at ages 7, 18, and 36 months as measured by the Bayley-3 on school-age scores.ResultsMean age at school-age assessment was 9.0 years. Adjusted r2 for demographic, prenatal, and early life risk factors ranged from 0.10 to 0.22. Addition of PPB severity and Bayley-3 measures at ages 7 and 18 months did not meaningfully change model fit. Adjusted r2 after inclusion of Bayley-3 at 36 months ranged from 0.35 to 0.41.ConclusionThis study suggests that PPB severity and very early life neurodevelopment have little association with school-age neurodevelopment above and beyond demographic and early life risk factors. However, preschool-age neurodevelopmental assessment may still be useful in identifying children with PPB at risk for delay and who may benefit from early intervention.
| S-EPMC8077205 | biostudies-literature