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. 2005;35(2):255-279.
doi: 10.1177/002204260503500203.

Trajectories of Marijuana Use During the Transition to Adulthood: The Big Picture Based on National Panel Data

John E Schulenberg  1 , Alicia C Merline, Lloyd D Johnston, Patrick M O'Malley, Jerald G Bachman, Virginia B Laetz
Affiliations

Trajectories of Marijuana Use During the Transition to Adulthood: The Big Picture Based on National Panel Data

John E Schulenberg et al. J Drug Issues. 2005.

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to: a) identify trajectory groups of frequent marijuana use during emerging adulthood, b) distinguish among trajectory groups according to demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and c) examine how the trajectory groups relate to behavioral, attitudinal, and social-emotional correlates over time. National panel data from the Monitoring the Future study were used: 18 cohorts of high school seniors (classes of 1977-94) were followed biennially through age 24. Frequent marijuana use was defined as 3+ occasions of use in past month and/or 20 to 40+ occasions in past year. Based on four waves of complete longitudinal data (N=19,952), six frequent marijuana use trajectory groups were identified: chronic, decreased, increased, fling, rare, and abstain. Categorical analyses revealed trajectory group differences in demographic and lifestyle characteristics at senior year and age 24. The trajectory groups varied significantly in longitudinal patterns of other substance use, problem behaviors, and well-being.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean scores for 30-day marijuana use by marijuana use trajectory groups.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in behaviors, attitudes and social-emotional correlates as a function of marijuana use trajectory groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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