An Examination of Sociodemographic Correlates of Ecstasy Use Among High School Seniors in the United States

Abstract

Background: Although ecstasy (MDMA) use is not as prevalent in the United States (US) as it was in the early 2000s, use remains popular among adolescents and young adults. Few recent studies have examined ecstasy use in national samples among those at particularly high risk for use—adolescents approaching adulthood. Research is needed to delineate sociodemographic correlates of use in this group. Methods: Data were examined from a nationally representative sample of high school seniors in the US (modal age = 18) from the Monitoring the Future study (years 2007–2012; weighted N = 26,504). Data from all cohorts were aggregated and correlates of recent (last 12-month) use of ecstasy were examined. Results: Roughly 4.4% of high school seniors reported use of ecstasy within the last year. Females and religious students were consistently at lower odds for use. Black and Hispanic students, and students residing with two parents, were at lower odds for ecstasy use, until controlling for other drug use. Odds of use were consistently increased for those residing in a city, students with weekly income of >$50 from a job, and students earning >$10 weekly from other sources. Lifetime use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and other illicit drugs each robustly increased odds of ecstasy use. Conclusion: Subgroups of high school seniors, defined by specific sociodemographic factors, and those who have used other drugs, are currently at high risk for ecstasy initiation and use. Since ecstasy is regaining popularity in the US, prevention efforts should consider these factors.

Keywords :

• MDMA
• ecstasy
• club drugs
• adolescents
• socioeconomic status

THE AUTHORS

Joseph J. Palamar, Ph.D., M.P.H., is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Medical Center. He is also a member of the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) and a faculty research affiliate at the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS). His research focuses primarily on substance use, sexual behavior, drug policy, and the stigma associated with risk behavior.

Dimitra Kamboukos, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Population Health and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University Langone Medical Center. Dr. Kamboukos’ research focuses on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of family- and school-based preventive interventions to promote mental and physical health, and academic success among ethnically diverse children from underserved communities.