Substance Use and Self-Reported Mental Health: The Moderating Effect of Acquaintance Use Behavior Among Adults

• NCJ Number: 189525
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 565-590
• Author(s): Julie Ford
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between individual alcohol and marijuana use and self-reported mental health.

Abstract

There has been a considerable amount of literature documenting the positive effects that social relationships have for mental health. Also, a number of studies have demonstrated the importance of peer and acquaintance networks in attempts to understand substance use. This study brings together these fields to examine the relationship between individual alcohol and marijuana use and self-reported mental health. Based on an analysis of a community-based sample of 23,392 adults from 41 mid-sized cities nationwide, this study also examined whether acquaintance substance use behavior might, under certain conditions, moderate this association by providing a normative context of acceptance. Findings showed that respondents’ moderate consumption of alcohol was significantly associated with a greater risk of reporting five or more days of poor mental health, with binge drinking exhibiting the larger effect. Similarly, the likelihood of five-plus days of poor mental health was greater for respondents who use marijuana, but the proportional risk was about two to three times that of alcohol, with monthly marijuana use associated with the greatest increase. With respect to the main effect of acquaintance substance use, all levels of acquaintance binge drinking and marijuana consumption were significantly related to greater odds of reporting five-plus days poor mental health, with the odds increasing as the category representing number of acquaintances increased. At the more stringent levels set for significance, the findings were consistent, lending strong support to the hypothesis that acquaintances’ substance use behavior moderated the relationship between respondent’s substance use and self-reported mental health. 4 figures, 3 tables, 2 notes, and 53 references.