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Cited by 26Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesYouth Development and Social SupportYouth, Drugs, and Violence

Structured and Unstructured Activities and Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Middle School: The Role of Availability and Engagement

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Spillane, Nichea S., Schick, Melissa R., Kirk-Provencher, Katelyn T., Hill, Danielle C., Wyatt, Janan, Jackson, Kristina M.·2020·Substance Use & Misuse
DOI 10.1080/10826084.2020.1762652PMC PMC8409240
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Abstract

Background: Behavioral Theories of Choice applied to substance use suggests that use depends on availability of substances and alternative activities. Applying this theory to younger adolescents offers the possibility of investigating potentially malleable prevention and intervention targets. Objectives: The current study examines the role of perceived availability and engagement in structured and unstructured activities on adolescent alcohol and marijuana use controlling for substance availability. Methods: Data were collected as part of a longitudinal study of 6th–8th graders (N = 1023; 52% female; 76% White; Mage = 12.23 years). Multiple logistic regressions analyzed the impact of availability and engagement in structured and unstructured activities at Wave 1 on heavy drinking and marijuana use by study end in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Results: Availability of unstructured activities was associated with increased likelihood of both marijuana use (b* = .06, p = .04) and heavy drinking (OR = 1.20, p < .001), while availability of structured activities was not significantly associated with likelihood of either marijuana use (b* = −.10, p = .07) or heavy drinking (OR = 0.86, p = .16). Engagement in unstructured activities was significantly associated with increased likelihood of both marijuana use (b* = .06, p = .03) and heavy drinking (OR = 1.11, p = .003), while engagement in structured activities was significantly associated with decreased likelihood of both marijuana use (b* = −.25, p < .001) and heavy drinking (OR = 0.85, p = .046). Conclusions: Perceived availability of and engagement in unstructured activities may present a risk, while perceived availability of and engagement in structured activities may serve as a protective factor for youth substance use.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Spillane, N. S., Schick, M. R., Kirk-Provencher, K. T., Hill, D. C., Wyatt, J., & Jackson, K. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Rhode Island (US)
  • Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA;
  • Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Spillane, Nichea S.
ORCID
Venue
Substance Use & Misuse
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2020-05-19
Volume
55
Issue
11
Pages
1765-1773
ISSN
  • 1082-6084 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-2491
DOI
10.1080/10826084.2020.1762652
PMC
PMC8409240
OpenAlex
W3026587054
Cited by
26
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5
FWCI
3.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Substance Use & Misuse (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Journal of Media Literacy Education (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01AA016838)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Youth, Drugs, and Violence
Keywords
adolescent alcohol use, cannabis use, heavy drinking, structured activities, unstructured activities, perceived availability, youth participation, substance use prevention, junior high school students
MeSH terms
Marijuana Use, Adolescent, Alcohol Drinking, Child, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Marijuana Smoking, Schools, Substance-Related Disorders

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