Substance Use and Psychopathology in Adolescents

Bidirectional Interactions Between Psychopathology Symptoms and Substance Use in Adolescents

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Teens sit on a curb and drink alcohol.

Sponsor:

THRC's Community Health and Economic Resilience Research (CHERR) Center of Excellence

PI:

Dr. Ty Schepis

Research Pillar(s):

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This project aims to foster health and resilience by understanding the development of substance misuse and psychopathology, along with the interaction between these conditions, in adolescents. 

The primary goal is to determine the relationship between children who already experience anxiety and depression, and their initiation into substance use, with a specific focus on how it affects their symptoms. Findings from this research will help identify intervention points for at-risk adolescents and provide evidence to support universal screening for adolescent substance misuse in healthcare settings.

Researchers & Collaborators

Headshot of Dr. Ty Schepis.

Dr. Ty Schepis

Faculty Fellow, THRC

Professor, Psychology

Dr. Alessandro De Nadai.

Dr. Alessandro De Nadai

Collaborator

Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School

IN THE MEDIA

A blue grid with the words Enlighten Me.

Enlighten Me Podcast

Dr. Schepis discusses his field of research and how it sheds light on substance misuse in adolescents. 

Listen on Spotify 
Listen on Apple

PUBLICATIONS

Prescription Drug Misuse With Alcohol Coingestion Among US Adolescents: Youth Experiences, Health-related Factors, and Other Substance Use Behaviors

Authors: Jason A Ford, Sean Esteban McCabe, and Ty S Schepis

The current research uses multiple years of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to assess characteristics associated with coingestion among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. The primary objective is to determine how youth experiences with parents, involvement in conventional activities, religiosity, social support, and school status are associated with coingestion.

Longitudinal Changes in Prescription Drug Misuse (PDM) and Polysubstance Use in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)

Author: Ty S Schepis

This study examines longitudinal change and age-period-cohort differences in PDM in AYAs, aged 12 to 30 years, to identify at-risk AYAs in need of targeted screening, prevention, and treatment. This research is relevant to the mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as it allows researchers and clinicians to prevent PDM at the most vulnerable periods and intervene in those AYAs most in need of treatment.

IN THE NEWS

Texans’ Support for Marijuana Legalization, Decriminalization is at an All-Time High, Poll Shows

San Antonio Express News
May 23, 2024     
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Cannabis Legalization Has Led to a Boom in Potent Forms of the Drug That Present New Hazards for Adolescents

The Conversation 
April 22, 2024      
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Texas State Researchers to Study Prescription Drug Misuse Among Adolescents, Young Adults

Inside TXST | Jayme Blaschke 
January 17, 2024       
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When Did Rock Concerts Become Tame? Thank Alcohol-Free Gen Z

The Wall Street Journal
October 5, 2023
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ADHD Stimulants Don't Boost Teens' Cocaine Risks Later

Everend | Laura Bailey-Michgan 
July 12, 2023 
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