Latent Classes of Substance Use in Young Adults – A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: This systematic review provides an overview of studies on latent classes related to the substance use among young adults (18–25 years). Identifying these classes helps to detect high-risk groups, setting a base for selective prevention.

Methods: This systematic literature review included peer-reviewed studies (published up to February, 2021) that identified latent classes and investigated predictors of latent classes relating to the use of marijuana, alcohol and/or other substances within samples of young adults.

Results: Twenty studies (sample sizes N = 171 to N = 21945) met the inclusion criteria. 14 studies identified ‘low-level engagers’, ‘light alcohol and tobacco use’, ‘heavy alcohol and tobacco use’ and ‘heavy use/polysubstance use’ classes. Four studies differentiated within the ‘heavy/polysubstance’ class and found ‘traditional clubdrugs’, ‘hallucinogens’ and ‘wide-range illicit drugs’ classes. Male gender and white race predicted membership of the ‘heavy use/polysubstance use’ class consistently across studies. Other predictors of polysubstance use that were consistent across studies were peer substance use, depressive symptoms, parental drinking and participating in an honor society.

Conclusions: The investigated predictors of class membership provide insight into social settings and characteristics that predict heavy use or polysubstance use. They can contribute to the development of effective prevention interventions by allowing for a more targeted approach.

Keywords:

• Young adult
• classes
• profile
• substance
• polydrug

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support for the conduct of the research was provided by The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport under grant [number 329005]. The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has had no involvement in study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, the writing of the report or in the decision to submit the article for publication.