Retrospective Self-Reports of How Adolescent Substance Use Changed with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Janni Leung (), Catherine Quinn, Molly Carlyle, Rhiannon Ellem, Calvert Tisdale, Lily Davidson, Melanie J. White, David J. Kavanagh and Leanne Hides
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Janni Leung: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Catherine Quinn: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Molly Carlyle: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Rhiannon Ellem: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Calvert Tisdale: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Lily Davidson: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Melanie J. White: School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
David J. Kavanagh: School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
Leanne Hides: Lives Lived Well Group (LLW), School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-10

Abstract: The final year of high school is a challenging phase of adolescents’ lives and substance use can play an important role. We examined changes in the frequency and quantity of alcohol and cannabis use, and demographic correlates among Grade 12 students of 2020. Students (N = 844) from nine schools retrospectively self-reported changes in substance use after the easing of COVID-19 lockdowns (back to school), compared to before the pandemic. Changes in use were examined with age, gender, Aboriginal or Torres Islander, parental and family characteristics, and truancy. Thirty-one percent of students reported that they used alcohol less frequently, and 24% reported that they used it more frequently compared to pre-COVID-19. Most students (46%) reported that they used cannabis less, while a subset reported using more frequently (22%). A history of truancy was associated with an increased frequency (OR = 2.13 [1.18–3.83]) of cannabis use. A substantial minority of adolescents used more alcohol and cannabis after the initial COVID-19 lockdown period. Students in their final year who reported increased use may benefit from increased support to manage their substance use.

Keywords: alcohol; underage drinking; cannabis; marijuana; adolescent behavior; adolescent health; pandemics; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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