Racial differences in developmental patterns of social consequences of drug use

ABSTRACT

This study sought to examine differences in developmental patterns of social consequences of drug use among youth offenders and investigate the relevance of race for predicting trajectory-group assignment. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses, comprising the responses of 1,354 juvenile offenders followed across 84 months after an adjudication for a serious offense. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify developmental patterns of social consequences of drug use. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the relevance of covariates for predicting assignment to trajectory-groups. A five-group model of development best fits the data. Race was found to be a predictor of group assignment. White juvenile offenders were much more likely to belong to the High Chronic social consequences group. White juvenile offenders are at-risk for demonstrating high and chronic levels of social consequences stemming from drug use. Implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Social consequences
• Drugs
• Juvenile offenders
• Group-based trajectory modeling
• Development

Highlights

• A five-group trajectory model of social consequences of drug use was identified.

• White juvenile offenders are at risk for high and chronic social consequences of drug use.

Notes

¹ Participants were asked to report if they experienced any of the following social consequences and whether or not they were the result of their drug use during the prior observation period: had complaints from your family; had complaints from your friends; been in trouble at school or work; missed school or work (e.g., missed because you were hung over); been arrested (e.g., arrested when drunk/high or while using); had problems or arguments with family or friends; continue to drink/use drugs when you knew you had a serious physical or emotional problem that might have been caused or made worse by drinking or using drugs; awakened after a night of partying and found that you could not remember part or all of the evening before; used drugs in situations where you might get hurt; have an accident or injury because of your drug use; has using drugs interfere with work or responsibility at school, at home, or on a job; had trouble with the police (but not arrested); had sex to get money to buy drugs or had sex in exchange for drugs; sold drugs to get money to buy drugs; robbed or stolen something to get money to buy drugs; had a physical fight; destroyed any property.