Substance Use Profiles Among Juvenile Offenders: A Lifestyles Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

Base rates of illicit substances such as cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin are typically low in community-based studies, which often inhibit more complex multivariate analysis. Additionally, single-item measures and aggregate scales mask within-group differences among those showing versatility in their substance use. Latent class analysis was used to model the substance use profiles of adjudicated female ( n = 98) and male ( n = 378) youth. Alcohol, marijuana, acid, mushrooms, ecstasy, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and nonmedical use of prescription pills were used to define latent profiles of substance use. Three latent classes were identified that were qualitatively different across males and females. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that time spent outside of the home of the biological parents, early substance use, and parental substance abuse were informative of the use of substances such as cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. Implications for more individualized treatment strategies are discussed.