The Comorbidity of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders Among Hispanic Adolescents

ABSTRACT

Objective: The comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorders among adolescents and adults is well-documented in the literature. The current study investigates the relationship between psychiatric and substance use disorders in a sample of treatment-seeking Hispanic adolescents. Methods: The study uses baseline data (N = 190) from a randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of a family-based treatment for Hispanic adolescents with substance abuse disorder to examine the relationship between psychiatric disorders and substance use patterns at baseline, including types of substances used (both lifetime use and past-month use) and age at onset of substance use, controlling for age and gender. Results: Linear regression models were used to examine predictors of age at onset, while logistic regression models examined predictors of lifetime substance use. Significant findings predicting age at onset for marijuana and alcohol are discussed. In addition, psychiatric profiles were differentially associated with lifetime use of sedatives, stimulants, and hallucinogens, but not alcohol or marijuana. Conclusions: Findings from this study can be used to help inform the treatment of adolescents seeking mental health and substance use services.

KEYWORDS:

• Hispanic
• adolescents
• substance use
• psychiatric symptoms

Acknowledgements

This study was presented at the 15th Annual International Conference of the National Hispanic Science Network in San Antonio, Texas, in June 2014.

Disclosures

Dr. Gattamorta has received compensation from Barry University in Miami, Florida, the Universidad Andres Bello in Santiago, Chile, and Triple O Research Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Santisteban has received compensation from Behavioral Assessment Inc., Los Angeles, California, and from Hispanic and Latino ATTC/Universidad Central del Caribe, Puerto Rico. Dr. Mena and Ms. Ainsley report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Funding

Support for this research was received from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant R01 DA027920 and by the Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research: El Centro, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities grant P60MD002266. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.