Correlates of "non-problematic" and "problematic" substance use among depressed adolescents in primary care.
Substance use and related problems were assessed in a sample of primary care patients (n = 450) ages 13-21 who screened positive for depression at a clinic visit. Patients were classified as having no substance use (n = 248), non-problematic use (substance use without reported school, work, social, or family problems, n = 90), or use that reportedly caused problems in at least one area (n = 112). In logistic regression models, older age, externalizing symptoms, and not being African American were significantly associated with non-problematic use; older age, male gender, externalizing symptoms, Caucasian/White ethnicity/race, and more friends were associated with problematic use. Odds ratios were similar for patients reporting non-problematic and problematic use, suggesting that, in the presence of depression, any substance use merits evaluation and monitoring to determine treatment needs and to prevent escalation of dysfunction.
Goldstein
Risë B
RB
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of California at Los Angeles, USA. goldster@mail.nih.gov
Asarnow
Joan R
JR
Jaycox
Lisa H
LH
Shoptaw
Steven
S
Murray
Pamela J
PJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires