Polysubstance use among national samples of in-school adolescents in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14330237
eISSN
18155626
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85129682285
Journal Title
Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume
32
Issue
2
Start Page
187
End Page
193
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Psychology in Africa Vol.32 No.2 (2022) , 187-193
Suggested Citation
Peltzer K., Pengpid S. Polysubstance use among national samples of in-school adolescents in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of Psychology in Africa Vol.32 No.2 (2022) , 187-193. 193. doi:10.1080/14330237.2022.2028078 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86955
Title
Polysubstance use among national samples of in-school adolescents in Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This study aimed to provide estimates on current polysubstance use among adolescents in three Caribbean countries. Cross-sectional and national school health survey data (2016-2017) were analysed from 6 269 adolescents (median age = 15 years) in Dominican Republic (n = 1 306), Jamaica (n = 1 455), and Trinidad and Tobago (n = 3 508). More than one in ten of the participating students engaged in current polysubstance use. In the adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis, the associations with current polysubstance use were stronger than with current single substance use among older adolescents (15-18 years or older), male sex, with passive smoking, high psychological distress, frequent soft drink consumption (≥3 times/day), and frequent fast-food consumption (≥ 3 days/week). Additionally, school truancy and parental tobacco use were associated with current polysubstance use, while adolescents reporting parental support were less likely have current single and polysubstance use. Intervention strategies to prevent and treat substance abuse by teenagers should prioritise psychosocial factors.