Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes a study examining the co-occurrence of tobacco product use, substance use, and mental health problems among youth using data from Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The study aimed to examine these associations across various tobacco products and to assess the role of poly-tobacco use.
Key Points:
* The study found that youth tobacco users were more likely to use alcohol or drugs compared to non-users.
* Tobacco users were more likely to have substance use and mental health problems.
* In particular, poly-tobacco use was strongly associated with substance use problems.
* Female tobacco users were more likely to have substance use and internalizing problems.
* The study used data from Wave 1 of the PATH Study, which is a nationally representative longitudinal study of adults and youth.
* The study controlled for socio-demographics and sensation seeking in the analyses.
* The study used the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs -Short Screener (GAIN-SS) to assess substance use and mental health problems.
* The study found that poly-tobacco users were more likely than exclusive users to use substances and have mental health and substance use problems.
Main Message:
The study highlights the high co-occurrence of substance use and mental health problems among youth tobacco users, especially poly-tobacco users. The findings suggest the need to address comorbidities among high-risk youth in prevention and treatment settings. Regulatory measures should consider the interplay between tobacco product use, substance use, and mental health problems among youth to effectively address these public health concerns.
Citation
Conway, Kevin. “Co-Occurrence of Tobacco Product Use, Substance Use, and Mental Health Problems among Youth: Findings from Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.” Addictive Behaviors, no. 76 (2018): 208–17.
