Problematic Consumption of Alcohol, Cannabis and Cigarettes: a German Nationwide Survey on Psychopathology, Stress, Mindfulness, and Quality of Life

TY - JOUR

T1 - Problematic Consumption of Alcohol, Cannabis and Cigarettes: a German Nationwide Survey on Psychopathology, Stress, Mindfulness, and Quality of Life

AU - Wartberg, Lutz

AU - Belau, Matthias

AU - Arnaud, Nicolas

AU - Thomasius, Rainer

AU - IMAC-Mind Consortium

PY - 2024/6/28

Y1 - 2024/6/28

N2 - BACKGROUND: Even among minors, the use of psychotropic substances is widespread in Europe. Data on the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are regularly reported in Germany, but data on problematic use are lacking. In the present study, established screening instruments were used to investigate the prevalence of problematic use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis among children and adolescents.METHODS: A survey that was designed to be representative was conducted across Germany in a sample of 4001 persons aged 12-17. The survey consisted of established screening instruments for problematic consumption patterns and related psychosocial aspects. Prevalences were estimated, and bivariate and multivariate associated characteristics were studied.RESULTS: Among 12- to 17-year-olds in Germany, the prevalence values (with 95% confidence intervals) of problematic use were: for cigarettes, 0.5% [0.3; 0.7]; for alcohol, 11.3% [10.3; 12.3]; and for cannabis, 0.5% [0.3; 0.7]. For the problematic use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, there were both bivariate and multivariate statistically significant associations with greater psychopathology, lower mindfulness, and a lower quality of life. For example, greater psychopathology and stress experience were both associated with an increased risk of problematic cannabis use (odds ratios 1.21 [1.11; 1.31] and 1.59 [1.33; 1.88]).CONCLUSION: A comparison with the few available previous findings implies that problematic alcohol consumption has become more prevalent. There were both similarities and differences across the three substances studied with respect to patterns of problematic consumption, particularly in relation to the experience of stress.

AB - BACKGROUND: Even among minors, the use of psychotropic substances is widespread in Europe. Data on the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are regularly reported in Germany, but data on problematic use are lacking. In the present study, established screening instruments were used to investigate the prevalence of problematic use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis among children and adolescents.METHODS: A survey that was designed to be representative was conducted across Germany in a sample of 4001 persons aged 12-17. The survey consisted of established screening instruments for problematic consumption patterns and related psychosocial aspects. Prevalences were estimated, and bivariate and multivariate associated characteristics were studied.RESULTS: Among 12- to 17-year-olds in Germany, the prevalence values (with 95% confidence intervals) of problematic use were: for cigarettes, 0.5% [0.3; 0.7]; for alcohol, 11.3% [10.3; 12.3]; and for cannabis, 0.5% [0.3; 0.7]. For the problematic use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, there were both bivariate and multivariate statistically significant associations with greater psychopathology, lower mindfulness, and a lower quality of life. For example, greater psychopathology and stress experience were both associated with an increased risk of problematic cannabis use (odds ratios 1.21 [1.11; 1.31] and 1.59 [1.33; 1.88]).CONCLUSION: A comparison with the few available previous findings implies that problematic alcohol consumption has become more prevalent. There were both similarities and differences across the three substances studied with respect to patterns of problematic consumption, particularly in relation to the experience of stress.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology

KW - Child

KW - Comorbidity

KW - Female

KW - Germany/epidemiology

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Marijuana Abuse/epidemiology

KW - Prevalence

KW - Risk Factors

U2 - 10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0061

DO - 10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0061

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38657177

VL - 121

SP - 422

EP - 427

JO - DTSCH ARZTEBL INT

JF - DTSCH ARZTEBL INT

SN - 1866-0452

IS - 13

ER -