Publications by authors named "Malini Varma"
Adolescent substance use is highly prevalent and problematic; it has been reported as one of the most pertinent leading health concerns in the United States. The current longitudinal study examined the presence of peer and parental interpersonal relationship consequences (IP) as a motivating factor in activating coping skills to decrease the frequency of adolescent substance use, while further evaluating the role of impulsivity within that process. Two main hypotheses were proposed: (1) IP will decrease substance use frequency mediated by increases in motivation and temptation coping; and (2) impulsivity will moderate the link between coping and substance use frequency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Currently, only four states have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults over 21 years of age. Therefore, little is known about the influence that legalization will have on adolescent marijuana use.
Objectives: This study examines how marijuana legalization has impacted the frequency and consequences of adolescent use in a sample of participants in a school-based, substance use intervention.
Article Synopsis
- Ethnic minority youth face greater negative consequences from substance use, influenced by social and environmental factors, prompting a study on intervention effectiveness.
- The study involved 122 students aged 13-19, comparing two ethnic groups: African American/Hispanic/Multiethnic versus White/Asian, focusing on psychosocial and school-related effects of substance use.
- Results showed that ethnic minority adolescents had significantly worse consequences at baseline, but post-treatment, disparities in these outcomes were notably reduced, underscoring the benefits of school-based interventions.