Predictors of Methamphetamine Use Among Adolescents

• Author: Abby L. Vandenberg,Lisa L. Sample,Dana L. Radatz
• Published date: 01 April 2015
• Date: 01 April 2015
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0022042614559840
• Subject Matter: Articles

Journal of Drug Issues

2015, Vol. 45(2) 100 –117

© The Author(s) 2014

Reprints and permissions:

sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav

DOI: 10.1177/0022042614559840

jod.sagepub.com

Article

Predictors of Methamphetamine

Use Among Adolescents: Findings

From a Midwestern Sample

Dana L. Radatz1, Abby L. Vandenberg1, and Lisa L. Sample1

Abstract

This study has two primary goals. First, we seek to identify common demographic characteristics

and risk factors among adolescent methamphetamine (MA) users, and second, to determine

factors that predict MA use among adolescents. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed

on data gathered from a 2010 Midwestern state survey administered to 33,364 middle and high

school students. Results indicate that typical adolescent MA users are male, identify racially as

“Other,” and are high school upperclassmen. Individual and community risk factors were found

to be statistically significant in predicting MA use among adolescents. Specifically, high individual

risk level increased the odds of MA use by roughly 9%, and higher community risk-level scores

increased the odds by about 3%. Findings suggest that drug prevention efforts should focus

attention on adolescent attitudes regarding health consequences and social acceptability of drug

use as well as provide afterschool programs/clubs to adolescents.

Keywords

methamphetamine, youth, rural population

Introduction

An estimated 21.8 million U.S. citizens, ages 12 and above, reported using illicit drugs in 2009

(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2010). Among

these, however, less than 1% reported using methamphetamine (MA) within the past month of

the survey (SAMHSA, 2010). Regardless of the relatively small number of users, scholars

should examine MA use because of the hazards it poses to individuals who consume it, such as

adverse mental and physiological effects (e.g., history of psychiatric treatment, sleeplessness,

paranoia; Herz, 2000; Hopfer, Mendelson, Van Leeuwen, Kelly, & Hooks, 2006; Miura, Fujiki,

Shibata, & Ishikawa, 2006; Office of National Drug Control Policy [ONDCP], 1999; Pennell,

Ellett, Rienick, & Grimes, 1999; Sattah et al., 2002), increased likelihood of engaging in risky

sexual behaviors that may lead to HIV/AIDS (Chartier et al., 2009; Jensen & Theron, 2006), and

its association with criminal behaviors (Cartier, Farabee, & Pendergast, 2006; Gassman,

Nowicke, & Jun, 2010).

1University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA

Corresponding Author:

Dana L. Radatz, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 218 CPACS, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182, USA.

Email: dradatz@unomaha.edu

559840JODXXX10.1177/0022042614559840Journal of Drug IssuesRadatz et al.

research-article2014

Radatz et al. 101

Research concerning MA use has primarily focused on adult users (e.g., Herman-Stahl, Krebs,

Kroutil, & Heller, 2007; Sommers, Baskin, & Baskin-Sommers, 2006). Studies that examine MA

use among adolescents typically involve adolescents associated with the criminal justice system

or drug treatment programs (see, for example, Hopfer et al., 2006; Wood et al., 2008). To obtain

information on adolescents who use MA but have not had formal interventions, researchers must

rely on students’ responses to self-report survey questions (see, for example, Callaghan, Tavares,

Taylor, & Veldhuizen, 2007; Spoth, Clair, Shin, & Redmond, 2006). Few studies have examined

either the degree to which adolescents (aged 12-18) use MA or the predictors of MA use among

adolescents (Iritani, Hallfors, & Bauer, 2007). Given the negative health consequences of this

drug (e.g., weight loss, dental/skin problems, correlated use of other substances; Liang, Huang,

Brecht, & Hser, 2009) and the current gap in MA research (e.g., lack of research on adolescent

MA use), it is important to uncover the characteristics of adolescent MA users, as well as the fac-

tors that predict their use. The findings of this research may assist prevention programs and poli-

cies in refining or recalibrating their scope to address the use of MA among adolescents.

This study aims to extend current knowledge by creating a profile of the typical adolescent

MA user within the Midwest region, and highlighting factors that predict MA use. Specifically,

our research questions are, what are the characteristics of adolescent MA users, and what factors

predict their MA use? We explore these questions using self-reported survey data collected in

2010 from 33,364 middle and high school students in a Midwestern state. Concepts from social

control and social learning theories and prior research findings guide our exploration. A solid

understanding of who adolescent MA users are and what factors may drive this behavior can

produce information that can be shared with schools and other youth-centered agencies to help

guide programming to prevent MA use among adolescents.

MA Use Among Adolescents (Aged 12-17 Years)

This study is guided by concepts from two distinct schools of thought. Social control theories

generally assert that criminal behavior is innate but can be restrained by the relationships we

form with our family members and friends, and by the social institutions in which we are involved

(e.g., school, church; Agnew, 1991; Hirschi, 1969; Kierkus & Baer, 2002; Payne & Solotti, 2007;

Sampson & Laub, 1994). In contrast, social learning theories generally posit that criminal behav-

ior is not innate but rather learned through interaction with others to whom adolescents are

attached (Akers, 1998; Akers & Lee, 1999; Akers & Sellers, 2001; Pratt et al., 2010; Smangs,

2010). Criminal behavior, according to this theory, results from relationships adolescents have

with people who teach them the reasons, motives, techniques, and justifications for criminal

behavior (Sutherland, 1947). Although social control theories and social learning theories take

different approaches to understanding criminal behavior, they are not incompatible. Both theo-

retical frameworks emphasize the role that significant others (e.g., family members, friends,

social institutions) play in one’s criminal behavior. Despite the fact that social control theories

view relationships as protective factors and social learning theories view relationships as poten-

tial gateways into crime, there can be no denying the importance of social associations with

regard to adolescent behavior. Taken together, these theories suggest that investigation into devi-

ant behavior should take into account the perceived relationships children have with their parents

and peers, and how active they are in conventional activities. To be clear, it is not our intent to

test these theoretical perspectives. Rather, we use these theoretical concepts as guides for statisti-

cal modeling and as a context in which to situate characteristics of adolescent MA users.

Beyond theoretical considerations, this research is also guided by prior empirical research.

Given that several scholars note the average age of first use of MA is between 18 and 21 years

(Brecht, O’Brien, von Maurhauser, & Anglin, 2004; Herz, 2000), it is to be expected that little is

known about adolescent MA users. The scant research that does exist suggests that among junior