Parental Monitoring and Its Association With Alcohol, Tobacco Cigarettes, and Cannabis Initiation in the United States Adolescent Population.

Purpose: Limiting time with friends (LTWF), a facet of parental monitoring, may be protective for newly incident adolescent alcohol, tobacco cigarette, and cannabis use.

Methods: We extended epidemiological evidence based on estimates from nationally representative samples of US adolescents aged 12-17 years, across 18 years of independent samples of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2019). We estimated the prevalence of always LTWF, and odds ratios examining incident alcohol, tobacco cigarette, and cannabis use by LTWF within age and cohort.

Estimating the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on birth outcomes.

Background And Objectives: Prenatal cannabis use prevalence in the United States has increased. Relaxation of state-level cannabis policy may be contributing to the diminished risk perception of using cannabis. The main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, crosses the placenta, interacting with functional cannabinoid receptors in the fetus.

Using publicly available data to predict recreational cannabis legalization at the county-level: A machine learning approach.

Background: There is substantial geographic variability in local cannabis policies within states that have legalized recreational cannabis. This study develops an interpretable machine learning model that uses county-level population demographics, sociopolitical factors, and estimates of substance use and mental illness prevalences to predict the legality of recreational cannabis sales within each U.S.

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and prenatal cannabis use in a Michigan sample.

Background: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, also referred to as morning sickness, affects more than 70% of all pregnancies. Symptoms range from mild to severe and, in some cases, can be debilitating, resulting in a reduced quality of life. Moreover, prenatal cannabis use prevalence has doubled in the United States, and cannabis potency, measured by the concentration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiniol, has increased from 10% in 2009 to 14% in 2019.

On the Importance of Coefficient Alpha for Measurement Research: Loading Equality Is Not Necessary for Alpha's Utility as a Scale Reliability Index.

The population relationship between coefficient alpha and scale reliability is studied in the widely used setting of unidimensional multicomponent measuring instruments. It is demonstrated that for any set of component loadings on the common factor, regardless of the extent of their inequality, the discrepancy between alpha and reliability can be arbitrarily small in any considered population and hence practically ignorable. In addition, the set of parameter values where this discrepancy is negligible is shown to possess the same dimensionality as that of the underlying model parameter space.

Similarities and Differences in Alcohol & Other Drug Dependence Among Hispanic/Latino Subgroups: A Disaggregation Approach.

Background: Hispanic/Latino (H/L) heritage civilians out-number all other non-White ethnic groups in the United States. When studied as one group, H/L diversity is ignored, including rates of drug misuse. This study's aim was to examine H/L diversity regarding drug dependence by disaggregating how the burdens of active alcohol or other drug dependence (AODD) might change if we were to address syndromes drug by drug.

Longitudinal associations between age 20 problematic substance use and opioid use disorder incidence at age 30 - findings from an urban cohort.

This study used data from a longitudinal prevention study in an urban cohort to examine associations between nicotine dependence, alcohol, and cannabis use disorder and disorder criteria at age 20, with opioid use disorder (OUD) incidence or criteria onset by age 30. The study sample included 1408 participants (57.5% female, 72.

Estimating the effects of legalizing recreational cannabis on newly incident cannabis use.

Liberalized state-level recreational cannabis policies in the United States (US) fostered important policy evaluations with a focus on epidemiological parameters such as proportions [e.g., active cannabis use prevalence; cannabis use disorder (CUD) prevalence].

Effect of a pediatric fruit and vegetable prescription program on child dietary patterns, food security, and weight status: a study protocol.

Background: Although nutrients in fruits and vegetables are necessary for proper development and disease prevention, most US children consume fewer servings than recommended. Prescriptions for fruits and vegetables, written by physicians to exchange for fresh produce, address access and affordability challenges while emphasizing the vital role of diet in health promotion and disease prevention. Michigan's first fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP) exclusively for children was introduced in 2016 at one large pediatric clinic in Flint and expanded to a second clinic in 2018.

Drugs age-of-onset as a signal of later post-traumatic stress disorder: Bayesian analysis of a census protocol.

Individuals with PTSD have an increased risk of drug use disorders. Conversely, we aim to evaluate how early onset of alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive drugs use are associated with PTSD later in life. 2,193 brazilian young adults completed modularized assessments: The Trauma History Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C, transformed to PCL-5 through a crosswalk procedure), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale; and a survey on drug use with self-report questions about first use, current use, frequency, quantity, and interpersonal consequences.

A Culturally Adapted Parenting Intervention for Mexican-Origin Immigrant Families with Adolescents: Integrating Science, Culture, and a Focus on Immigration-Related Adversity.

Low-income Latina/o immigrants are very likely to experience intense contextual challenges in the USA, such as limited exposure to culturally relevant parent training (PT) prevention interventions. This prevention study consisted of an exploratory randomized controlled trial, aimed at empirically testing the implementation feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally adapted version of the evidence-based PT intervention known as GenerationPMTO. The parenting intervention was adapted to overtly address immigration-related stressors, discrimination, and challenges associated with biculturalism.

Latent Class Analysis for Repeatedly Measured Multiple Latent Class Variables.

Research on stage-sequential shifts across multiple latent classes can be challenging in part because it may not be possible to observe the particular stage-sequential pattern of a single latent class variable directly. In addition, one latent class variable may affect or be affected by other latent class variables and the associations among multiple latent class variables are not likely to be directly observed either. To address this difficulty, we propose a multivariate latent class analysis for longitudinal data, joint latent class profile analysis (JLCPA), which provides a principle for the systematic identification of not only associations among multiple discrete latent variables but sequential patterns of those associations.

Advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP): advances, challenges, and opportunities to accelerate progress.

It is increasingly accepted that higher levels of excellence and innovation in research can be achieved by organizations that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across several domains including ethnicity and gender. The purpose of this commentary is to provide an overview of the methods used to increase diversity within ACNP, as well as recommendations for accelerating progress. Annual membership surveys confirm increases in female membership and leadership positions, slower but encouraging signals for “Asian” and “Hispanic” members, and less progress for African American and other ethnic populations.

'Time to first tobacco cigarette soon after waking' occurs more often among underage newly incident smokers in the United States, 2004-2017.

Aims: Time to first cigarette (TTFC) after waking is a highly regarded and readily measured manifestation of a tobacco dependence process. We aim to estimate short TTFC as it occurs very soon after the onset of cigarette smoking (CS) in a community sample of newly incident smokers, all 12-21 years of age, and to study risk variation with the age of CS onset.

Methods: United States National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2004-2017, drew large nationally representative samples of 12-to-21-year-old community residents, and used computerized self-interviews to measure tobacco cigarette smoking, the Fagerstrom TTFC construct, and related variables.

Estimated effect of US state syringe sale policy on source of last-used injection equipment.

Background: Many people who inject drugs (PWID) lack access to a new sterile syringe each time they inject, with increased risk of injection-related harms, including spread of communicable diseases. In the United States (US), restricted access is largely due to state laws and policies regulating syringe access. Our aim in this US-focused study is to estimate variations in syringe acquisition behavior in relation to state-level syringe sale policies, drawing upon self-identified PWID in a nationally representative sample survey.

Cocaine dependence: "Side effects" and syndrome formation within 1-12 months after first cocaine use.

Background: This project offers new epidemiological estimates for DSM-IV cocaine dependence among sub-groups of newly incident cocaine users in the United States (US), including estimated attack rates for 21 dependence-related cocaine side effect problems and experiences occurring <12 months after onset.

Method: In 2002-2016, US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) sampled, recruited, and assessed cocaine experiences of non-institutionalized civilians. Unweighted estimates for year-pairs (2002-3,…,2015-16) are from 3488 cocaine powder-only initiates and 275 powder-then-crack initiates (all evaluated <12 months after onset).

Female-male differences in prescription pain reliever dependence levels: Evidence on newly incident adolescent and young adult users in the United States, 2002-2014.

Background: A comprehensive epidemiology of dependence on prescription opioid pain relievers requires evidence about age-specific female-male differences, possibly manifest during adolescent and early adult years. In this study, we identified newly incident extra-medical users of prescription pain relievers (EMPPR), all observed with onsets before the 22 birthday. We then quantified female-male differences in clinical features or manifestations of opioid dependence (OD), devised a measurement-equivalent OD dimension, and estimated age-specific female-male differences in OD levels.

"Side Effects" Observed Within ~1-90 Days After Cannabis Onset: Epidemiological Estimates for the United States, 2004-2014.

Background And Objectives: Among newly incident cannabis users, fewer than 4% develop cannabis dependence syndromes within 12 to 24 months, but earlier cannabis side effect (SE) incidence and early syndrome formation remains understudied. We estimate cannabis SE incidence within ~1 to 90 days after first use, and estimate odds ratios (OR) for SE pairs to quantify potential syndromic "running together."

Methods: Each year, 2004 to 2014, the US populations under study consisted of noninstitutionalized civilian residents age 12-years-and-older, sampled for National Surveys on Drug Use and Health.

Cannabis use among women of reproductive age in the United States: 2002-2017.

Background: In this study of cannabis use in large nationally representative samples of United States (US) women aged 12-44 years, we evaluate variation by pregnancy month and by trimester. We also evaluate cannabis dependence, which might explain why some women continue using cannabis during pregnancy.

Methods: Large nationally representative samples drawn for the US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health included 12-44-year-old women asked about pregnancy month, cannabis use, and cannabis dependence (n = 381,199).

The negative growth of a brief depressive spell among U.S. adolescents.

Objective: Studying adolescent-onset brief depressive spells, we saw a chance to adapt a cross-cohort approach for successive cross-sectionally gathered epidemiological estimates on birth cohorts.

Methods: The United States (US) study population estimates are for noninstitutionalized community-dwelling 17- to 18-year-olds, sampled, recruited, and assessed using audio computer assisted self-interviews for the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health each year, 2008-2016. Estimated age and year-specific lifetime history cumulative incidence proportions are presented, with 95% confidence intervals, as well as age-specific meta-analysis summary estimates.

Cannabis Use and Markers of Systemic Inflammation: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

Background: It is unclear whether cannabis use in humans plays a role in the regulation of inflammatory responses. This study aimed to examine cannabis-attributable immunomodulation as manifested in levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Methods: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study is a cohort of 5115 African-American and Caucasian males and females enrolled in 1985-1986, and followed up for over 25 years, with repeated measures of cannabis use.

Are cannabis users less likely to gain weight? Results from a national 3-year prospective study.

Background: Pre-clinical studies indicate increased food intake and weight gain as cannabinoid effects. Cross-sectional epidemiological studies, however, indicate lower prevalence of obesity among cannabis users. Here, we aim to study the weight-gain research question in the prospectively conducted National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

Nation-scale primary prevention to reduce newly incident adolescent drug use: the issue of lag time.

Background: There is limited evidence about the effects of United States (US) nation-level policy changes on the incidence of alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking. To investigate the potential primary prevention effects on precocious drug use and to clarify lag-time issues, we estimated incidence rates for specified intervals anticipating and lagging after drug policy enactment. Our hypotheses are (a) reductions in underage drinking or smoking onset and (b) increases of incidence at the legal age (i.

Young, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and born in the USA: at excess risk of starting extra-medical prescription pain reliever use?

Background: Prescription pain reliever (PPR) overdoses differentially affect 'American Indian/Alaskan Natives' in the United States (US). Here, studying onset of extra-medical PPR use in 12-24-year-olds, we examine subgroup variations in rates of starting to use prescription pain relievers extra-medically (i.e.