Session: Using Intensive Longitudinal Methods to Elucidate Risk and Protective Factors in Problematic Young Adult Substance Use (Society for Prevention Research 26th Annual Meeting)

Rates of substance use and use disorders peak in young adulthood. Our symposium aims to identify psychosocial predictors of and protective factors against prevalent and high-risk substance use behavior within this vulnerable age group. Use behaviors include stress-related heavy drinking, simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (using alcohol and cannabis within the same occasion), and high-intensity drinking (8+/10+ drinks for women/men). We use innovative methodological designs and statistical techniques to examine such substance use behavior in depth. Designs include individualized multi-level slopes to examine the relationship between stressor exposure and drinking in predicting long-term outcomes; ecological momentary assessments to examine momentary factors predicting co-use of alcohol and cannabis; and an intensive measurement-burst design to identify whether using protective behavioral strategies attenuates the association between high-intensity drinking and negative consequences. Such intensive longitudinal designs allow researchers to identify moments of risk within a given individual on a given occasion. Findings illustrate the value of intensive longitudinal designs to study problematic substance use in natural settings, with clear implications for informing prevention and personalized intervention efforts.

Abstract One focuses on the long-term consequences of stress-related drinking from the first to fourth year of college. Individualized multi-level slopes were used to showcase that students who increased their odds of drinking more sharply on high- versus low-stressor days reported greater alcohol use severity during their fourth year. Findings suggest a focus on stress management skills in alcohol interventions for students.

Abstract Two used ecological momentary assessment and intensive repeated within-subjects methods to focus on simultaneously using alcohol and cannabis. Researchers found diminished mental and physical health within a given moment to be associated with simultaneous use. Findings highlight that motives for use may be driven by momentary psychological and physical states.

Abstract Three reports on an intensive measurement-burst design that aimed to assess whether the use of drinking-related protective behavioral strategies would weaken the relationship between engaging in extreme levels of drinking and consequences. Findings indicate efforts focused on modifying drinking behavior and planning strategies to minimize harm should be emphasized in intervention, but additional strategies are needed to reduce specific harms when drinking at such high levels.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the discussant will provide a brief discussion focused on the implications of findings for research and prevention.