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The decline in adolescent substance use across Europe and North America in the early twenty-first century: A result of the digital revolution?

Author

Listed:
  • Margaretha Looze

    (Utrecht University)

  • S. Dorsselaer

    (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction)

  • G. W. J. M. Stevens

    (Utrecht University)

  • M. Boniel-Nissim

    (Kinneret Academic College)

  • A. Vieno

    (University of Padova)

  • R. J. J. M. Eijnden

    (Utrecht University)

Abstract

Objectives Increases in electronic media communication (EMC) and decreases in face-to-face peer contact in the evening (FTF) have been thought to explain the recent decline in adolescent substance use (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis). This study addresses this hypothesis, by examining associations between (time trends in) EMC, FTF, and substance use in more than 25 mainly European countries. Methods Using 2002–2014 data from the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, we ran multilevel logistic regression analyses to investigate the above associations. Results National declines in substance use were associated with declines in FTF, but not with increases in EMC. At the individual level, both EMC and FTF related positively to substance use. For alcohol and cannabis use, the positive association with EMC was stronger in more recent years. Associations between EMC and substance use varied across countries, but this variation could not be explained by the proportion of young people using EMC within countries. Conclusions Our research suggests that the decrease in FTF, but not the increase in EMC, plays a role in the recent decrease in adolescent substance use.

Suggested Citation

  • Margaretha Looze & S. Dorsselaer & G. W. J. M. Stevens & M. Boniel-Nissim & A. Vieno & R. J. J. M. Eijnden, 2019. "The decline in adolescent substance use across Europe and North America in the early twenty-first century: A result of the digital revolution?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(2), pages 229-240, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:64:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s00038-018-1182-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1182-7
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    4. Ball, Jude & Grucza, Richard & Livingston, Michael & ter Bogt, Tom & Currie, Candace & de Looze, Margaretha, 2023. "The great decline in adolescent risk behaviours: Unitary trend, separate trends, or cascade?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
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