Correlates of methamphetamine use for Taiwanese adolescents

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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the associations between methamphetamine (MAP) use and psychiatric comorbidity, individual attitudes and personal knowledge of MAP use, family characteristics and peer factors in Taiwanese adolescents via a case-control study. Two hundred adolescent MAP users and 400 adolescent non-users were recruited. Their psychiatric comorbidity, attitudes and knowledge toward MAP use, family characteristics and peer interactions were assessed systematically. The associations between MAP use and those factors were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis. In conditional logistic regression analysis, comorbid conduct disorder, attitude favorable to MAP use and poor knowledge of MAP use, disrupted parenting, lower caregiver education level, having friends using or providing MAP and actively interacting with peers were associated significantly with MAP use. Adolescent MAP use was correlated with multiple factors that lie within individuals and the interaction with their family and peers. Correlates of MAP use identified in the present study may be helpful for the design and implementation of preventive intervention.