Period, age, and cohort effects on substance use among young Americans: a decade of change, 1976-86.
American Journal of Public Health – October 01, 1988
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Heavy drinking and substance use among American youth aged 18 to 28 reveal significant trends. Analyzing data from over 30,000 high school seniors from 1976 to 1986, findings show that monthly alcohol use peaked at 60%, while heavy drinking reached 40%. Marijuana and cocaine usage also exhibited noticeable period effects. Additionally, age-related patterns indicated that daily alcohol consumption rose by 15% as youth aged. Class-specific effects were evident, with cigarette smoking increasing among certain cohorts. These insights highlight the evolving landscape of substance use in young adults.
Abstract
In an earlier article in this Journal, we reported analyses that differentiated among period, age, and cohort effects on substance use among American youth 18 to 24 years old, from the high school classes of 1976 to 1982 during the period of 1976 to 1982. The present analyses extend the classes and years to 1986, and the age range to 18-28. A cohort-sequential design is employed, based on annual surveys of nationally representative samples of high school seniors, plus annual follow-up surveys of each senior class. Twelve different classes of drugs, both licit and illicit, are examined. Several different types of period, age, and cohort effects over the last decade are identified. Alcohol use (monthly and occasions of heavy use), and the use of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methaqualone, barbiturates, LSD, psychedelics other than LSD, and tranquilizers all showed period effects. Occasions of heavy drinking, cigarette smoking, monthly and daily use of alcohol, and annual prevalence of cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, LSD, and narcotics other than heroin showed age effects. Class effects were seen for cigarette smoking and daily marijuana use.