Citation

Herz V, Franzin N, Huemer J, Mairhofer D, Philipp J, Skala K. Neuropsychiatr. 2018; 32(1): 18-25.

Vernacular Title

Konsum und Missbrauch von Substanzen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit psychischen Erkrankungen : Eine Pilotstudie.

Affiliation

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria. katrin.skala@meduniwien.ac.at.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Dustri-Verlag)

DOI

10.1007/s40211-017-0231-4

PMID

28639209

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine prevalence, patterns and predictors of substance use among a sample of adolescent psychiatric inpatients.

METHODS: Participants included 25 minors aged 12-17 years admitted to an Austrian department of child and adolescent psychiatry. Lifetime use, initiation, frequency and quantity of substance use, sociodemographic, family and school-related data were collected by self-report measures. Substance use disorders were detected using CAGE (a screening instrument for problem drinking) and FTND (Fagerström Test For Nicotine Dependence). Clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records.

RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of any substance use (76%) and regular use (32%) were common. Prevalence was high for alcohol (76%), nicotine (44%) and illicit drug use (36%). Older age was associated with tobacco (p = 0.023), drug (p = 0.021) and cannabis use (p = 0.015) and regular use of psychotropic substances (p = 0.027). Family dysfunction predicted regular (p = 0.035) and cannabis use (p = 0.02). History of trauma prognosticated regular (p = 0.047) and tobacco use (p = 0.011). Use of any substance (p < 0.001) as well as regular use (p = 0.026) were significantly associated with peer substance use. Consuming adolescents were more likely to show academic failure, school absenteeism and behavioral problems. Alcohol (p = 0.02), drug (p = 0.017) and regular substance use (p = 0.007) were linked to suicidal ideation. A remarkable relationship between affective as well as externalizing disorders and alcohol, nicotine and drug use was found.

CONCLUSIONS: Substance use is highly prevalent among youth with mental illnesses and associated with psychosocial consequences. These data highlight the need to carefully explore this population at high risk.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Alcohol; Illicit substances; Mental illness; Nicotine