Free-Time Predictors of South African Adolescent Methamphetamine Use

Methamphetamine (MA) use among adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa is increasing at alarming rates. Locally known as “tik” due to the popping sound made when heated, MA is inexpensive and easily accessible. MA has surpassed alcohol and marijuana to become the primary substance of abuse in over half of patients seeking substance abuse treatment. Additionally, half of patients currently in treatment are under the age of 25 years old, demonstrating a greater need to target MA use in adolescents and young adults. Although some of the biological consequences of MA use have been identified (e.g., cognitive impairment), the impact of MA use on other developmental contexts is not well understood. Given that MA use occurs during free-time, the current study sought to better understand the association between adolescent MA use and free-time activities and experiences.

The current study analyzed data from South African high school students participating in an implementation quality trial of HealthWise South Africa. Any student enrolled in a trial school (N=56 schools) and present for Wave 1 of data collection was included in analyses (N=10,376). Descriptive comparisons indicated past month MA users were mostly male (66%), Black (67%; compared to Mixed Race) and older (15.3 years old vs. 14.1 years old) than non-lifetime MA users.

Logistic regression analyses compared individuals with no lifetime MA use (n=9,722) with past month MA use (n=323). MA use group membership was predicted by frequency and type of activity participation, motivation, and subjective experience, while controlling for demographic (i.e., gender, race) variables. Specifically, students who used MA in the past month were more likely to spend more time in parks or community/sports centers and stay after school to participate in free time activities. Conversely, past month use was less likely for students who spent more time doing sports or physical activities after school and on weekends and for students who spent more time watching TV or movies. Related to the way that students experienced their free time, past month users were more likely to: experience leisure boredom, have poorer restructuring skills, rarely experience excitement in their free time, rarely engage in leisure activities to have fun, and rarely find themselves with nothing to do.

Consistent with previous qualitative work in South Africa as well as research on U.S. and European youth, these results suggest that better efforts are needed to provide safe and supervised after-school community- and school-based leisure facilities and programs that develop skills related to engaging in meaningful and appropriate leisure activities (e.g., physical activity and sport) as a means of reducing problematic substance use.