Self-Reported Age of Onset and Telescoping for Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana: Across Eight Years of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth

• NCJ Number: 241551
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: September - October 2012 Pages: 333-348
• Author(s): Audrey M. Shillington; Susan I. Woodruff; John D. Clapp; Mark B. Reed; Hector Lemus
• Date Published: September 2012
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5R21AA016769
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined smoking, drinking, and illicit drug use as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, both during adolescence as well as later in life.

Abstract

Smoking, drinking, and illicit drug use are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, both during adolescence as well as later in life. The determination of how well national and local policy and intervention efforts address teen substance use depends largely on the collection of valid and accurate data. Assessments of substance use rely heavily on retrospective self-report measures, but the reliability and validity, however, may be limited by various sources of measurement error. This study utilizes four waves of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth spanning 8 years. Results from multiple linear regression analyses showed that the single most consistent variable associated with telescoping was the number of years since the substance was first reported. Time since first report was the single consistent variable and was strongly associated with telescoping in each wave-to-wave comparison for all three substances under study. Implications for policy and research are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.