Self-Reported Psychopathology Among Young, Low-Income, Female Ecstasy Users

ABSTRACT

This study examined the association of ecstasy (methylenedioxy-methylamphethamine) use with psychopathology among young, low-income females who sought care at university family planning clinics in Texas between December 2001 and May 2003. Participants reported drug use history and eight problem behavior syndromes by using the Young Adult Self-Report. The prevalence of ecstasy use was approximately 15%. About 90% of ecstasy users reported having used other drugs. Overall, ecstasy users were more likely to have exhibited delinquent behaviors and thought problems than exclusive marijuana users. Ecstasy users who continued to use any illicit drugs showed the most severe psychopathology. These findings indicate that elevated rates of self-reported psychopathology among ecstasy users may be partly attributable to the use of multiple drugs. Furthermore, it will also be important for future studies to assess the extent to which delinquent behaviors and thought problems mediate the transition of marijuana use to ecstasy use.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecstasy
• psychopathology
• YASR
• women

The authors thank Leonard Pechacek for providing editorial assistance.

Dr. Wu was funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (DA14841), with additional support from the General Clinical Research Center at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Protocol No. 567). Dr. Berenson was supported by an NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24 HD043659).

Notes

^aValues are presented as percent. All variables except education were significant at P < .001 from Chi-square test.

^aEcstasy versus none.

^bEcstasy versus the exclusive marijuana use.

^cEcstasy versus other illicit drug use.

^aAdjusted for age, race, marital status, education, and employment status.