Relationship of Substance Use by Students with Disabilities to Long-Term Educational, Employment, and Social Outcomes

Abstract

The study is based on data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988–2000 (NELS: 88). The results indicate that adolescents with disabilities who used either cigarettes or marijuana or who engaged in binge drinking had significantly higher dropout rates, lower high school graduation status, lower college attendance, and lower high school grade point averages, and fewer earned core credit units in English, science, and mathematics than nonusers. In addition, adolescents with disabilities who used either cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs were significantly more likely to engage in sexual activity at a younger age. The findings support the need for improved substance use prevention programming targeting the needs of youth with disabilities.

• Disability
• Education
• Employment
• Smoking
• Substance use/abuse

Resumen

Este análisis describe los datos del Estudio Educación Nacional Longitudinal de 1988–2000 (NELS: 88). Esta investigación demuestra que los adolescents incapacitados tienen resultados malos cuando ellos comienzan a experimentar con tabaco y marihuana y consumo de grandes cantidades de alcohol. En los varones se encontró una asociación significativa con los factors se retirar de la escuela, no attender la universidad, tener las notas malas, y tener pocos créditos de la literatura, de la ciencia, y de la matemática. Además, en los varones se encontró una asociación significativa con los adolescents incapacitados cuando ellos comienzan a experimentar con tabaco, drogas, y alcohol y ellos comienzan a experimentar sexualmente. Los resultados demuestran la importancia de las programas prevención para los adolescents incapacitados.

Résumé

Cette analyse décrit renseignements d'Étude Education Nationale Longitudinale de 1988–2000 (NELS: 88). Les résultats démonstrent que l'adolescents handicapés ont les dénouements mauvais quand ils ont consommé les cigarettes ou le marijuana ou quand ils ont bu l'alcool de binge. Les facteurs abandonner les études, ne suivre pas les cours à l'université, avoir la notes mauvaise, et avoir un peu des merites pour les sujets de la langue, de la science, et de la mathématique ont varié d'une manière significative. Aussi, l'adolescents handicapés qui ont consommé les cigarettes, la drogues, ou l'alcool ont engagé de l'activités sexuelle quand ils sont jeune, facteurs qui ont varie d'une manière significative. Les resultats soutenent la nécessité du programmes d'empêchement pour l'adolescents handicapés.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Hollar

David Hollar, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville. Dr. Hollar earned a doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he received the Graduate School's Outstanding Dissertation Award in 1997. His doctoral focus was on decision-making, especially relating to the structural equation model analysis of psychological, social, and organizational factors contributing to escalation behavior. At Wright State University's SARDI program, he applied multivariate statistical techniques to the analysis of substance use and other behavioral risk factors among persons with disabilities. He also possesses the M.S. degree in Molecular Biology from Vanderbilt University and the B.S. degree in Biology with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, he has performed research work in the genetics of aging, he has 15 years of teaching experience, and he has performed volunteer work in emergency medical services. His current work involves the development and assessment of integrated databases to improve services provided for children with special health care needs.

Dennis Moore

Dennis Moore, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Wright State University. He directs Substance Abuse Resources and Disability Issues (SARDI), a research program focused on substance use and misuse issues related to persons with disabilities. He is the originator of the Consumer Advocacy Model (CAM) program, a substance dependence treatment program for persons with alcohol, drug or mental health problems who also experience co-existing disabilities. Dr. Moore is immediate past President of the National Association for Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (NARRTC). He holds advanced degrees in Counseling and Special Education.