Trends in buprenorphine-waivered providers in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states by their public listing status.

The federal government has made several efforts to increase access to buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). However, patients continue to face challenges in access to treatment for OUD. : This study seeks to examine the trends in the prevalence of buprenorphine-waivered practitioners who opt to be publicly listed on the Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator tool maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and how this varies between Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states.

Technology Use: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Unlabelled: There is growing evidence of risks associated with excessive technology use, especially among teens and young adults. However, little is known about the characteristics of those who are at elevated risk of being problematic users. Using data from the 2012 Current Population Survey Internet Use Supplement and Educational Supplement for teens and young adults, this study developed a conceptual framework for modeling technology use.

Prescription opioid misuse, sources of opioids and reasons for opioid misuse among reproductive aged parenting women with major depressive episode.

The impact of the opioid epidemic has been particularly hard on reproductive-aged parenting women. Yet, very little is known about opioid use, opioid misuse and opioid use disorder among parenting women with major depressive episode (MDE). Information on sources of opioids intended for misuse and reasons for opioid misuse among this population is also lacking.

Mental Health Treatment and Unmet Mental Health Care Need Among Pregnant Women With Major Depressive Episode in the United States.

Objective: Perinatal mental health is a major public health issue in the United States. Yet, much is unknown about unmet mental health care need among pregnant women with a major depressive episode and the reasons for unmet need.

Methods: Using a nationally representative data set, the study examined mental health treatment utilization, unmet mental health care need, and the reasons for unmet mental health care needs among pregnant women with a major depressive episode compared with nonpregnant women with a major depressive episode (weighted N=128,000).

Social network effects in contraceptive behavior among adolescents.

Objective: To quantify empirically the role of peer social networks in contraceptive behavior among adolescents.

Method: Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents, the authors use a multivariate structural model with school-level fixed effects to account for the problems of contextual effects, correlated effects, and peer selection to reduce the potential impact of biases from the estimates of peer influence. The peer group measures are drawn not only from the nominations of close friends but also from classmates.

The social contagion effect of marijuana use among adolescents.

Background: Research on adolescent substance use has consistently identified a strong relationship between adolescent behavior and the behavior of their peers. However, peer effects are difficult to estimate and causal interpretations must be undertaken with caution since individuals in most cases choose with whom to associate. In this paper we seek to empirically quantify the causal role of peer social networks in explaining marijuana usage among adolescents.

Adolescent propensity to engage in health risky behaviors: the role of individual resilience.

In this paper we create indices of resilience to identify adolescents at risk of smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, three manifestations of resilience were identified: overall-resilience, self/family-resilience, and self-resilience. Our analysis reveals that the overall-resilient were less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Social network effects in alcohol consumption among adolescents.

In this paper we seek to empirically quantify the role of peer social networks in explaining drinking behavior among adolescents. Using data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents we utilize a multivariate structural model with school-level fixed effects to account for the problems of contextual effects, correlated effects and peer selection to purge the potential biases from the estimates of peer influence. Our peer group measures are drawn not only from the nomination of close friends, but also from classmates.

Estimating peer effects in sexual behavior among adolescents.

In this paper we seek to empirically quantify the role of peer social networks in influencing sexual behavior among adolescents. Using data of a nationally representative sample of adolescents we utilize a multivariate structural model with school-level fixed effects to account for the problems of contextual effects, correlated effects and peer selections to purge the potential biases from the estimates of peer influence. Our peer group measures are drawn not only from the nomination of close friends, but also from classmates.

Estimating peer effects in adolescent smoking behavior: a longitudinal analysis.

Purpose: To empirically quantify the role of peer social networks in explaining smoking behavior among adolescents. We follow adolescents over time to examine whether the role of adolescent peers persists in affecting individual behaviors as adolescents transition into adulthood.

Methods: Using longitudinal data of a nationally representative sample of adolescents we use a multivariate structural model with school-level fixed effects to account for the problems of contextual effects, correlated effects, and peer selections to purge the potential biases from the estimates of peer influence.