The overall aim of this epidemiological research is to further the understanding of the mental health consequences of the use of marijuana and other substances for the individual user and the user's family and of developmental patterns of involvement and cessation in the use of various drugs. These studies will be based on the extensive longitudinal and relational data collected on two samples: (a) a cohort of focal respondents (N=1,222) at three points in time: in adolescence at age 15-16, in young adulthood at ages 24-25 and 28-29; and (b) on spouses/partners (N=561) at age 28-29. The cohort constitutes a representative statewide sample of former adolescents enrolled in the 10th and 11th grades in New York State public high schools in 1971 and includes former regular students and school absentees. Respondents were first contacted in 1971-72, and reinterviewed in 1980 and 1984 through personal interviews that included detailed retrospective life and drug histories and measures of functioning, including depressive symptomatology, physical health, work and family participation. In 1984, the psychosocial functioning of the users' children and characteristics of the respondents' social networks, including drug use, were also assessed. Ten classes of drugs were inquired about: cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, psychedelics, heroin, other opiates, cocaine, and medical and nonmedical use of stimulants, sedatives and minor tranquilizers. A mailed survey of focal respondents' spouses or partners was carried out in 1984. This proposal requests support for data analyses in order to identify: (1) the mental health and behavioral consequences for young adults of the use of marijuana and other substances, including cigarettes, alcohol and cocaine, (2) the predictors of cessation of drug use in young adulthood, (3) the interpersonal influences on drug use, and (4) the effects of drug use on the family, including marital interactions, child-rearing practices and children's behaviors. In addition, procedures will be implemented to keep the follow-up panel active for further potential reinterviewing of the cohort in the future.
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