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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 1/2012

01-02-2012 | Original Article

Early substance use initiation and suicide ideation and attempts among students in France and the United States

Authors: Monica H. Swahn, Robert M. Bossarte, Marie Choquet, Christine Hassler, Bruno Falissard, Nearkasen Chau

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Objective

In response to recent research documenting a link between early substance use and suicidal behaviors among youth, the current study sought to examine the associations between ages of substance use initiation and suicidal behavior among students in France and the USA.

Methods

Cross-sectional logistic regression analyses based on the 2003 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) survey (France; n = 13,187) and the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (United States; n = 15,136) assessed associations between early substance use initiation (i.e., alcohol, cigarette and cannabis/marijuana) and suicide ideation and attempts while controlling for potential confounders.

Results

Early alcohol use initiation (ORadj = 1.52; 95% CI 1.17–1.97) and early cannabis/marijuana use initiation (ORadj = 2.90; 95% CI 2.20–3.83) were associated with suicide attempt in France. Early smoking was associated with suicide attempt in both France (ORadj = 1.92; 95% CI 1.55–2.37) and the USA (ORadj = 1.53; 95% CI 1.02–2.28). Sex differences were also noted.

Conclusions

The associations between substance use initiation and suicidal behaviors differed in the United States and France. These findings, placed into context, can assist the development and implementation of prevention strategies that seek to reduce the harmful consequences of early substance use among youth.
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Metadata
Title
Early substance use initiation and suicide ideation and attempts among students in France and the United States
Authors
Monica H. Swahn
Robert M. Bossarte
Marie Choquet
Christine Hassler
Bruno Falissard
Nearkasen Chau
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0255-7

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