Prevalence and correlates of driving under the influence of alcohol and cannabis among Spanish adolescents.

Abstract

Objective: Driving under the influence (DUI) of substances is the first cause of death among young populations. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of research looking at DUI risk factors in adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the past-year prevalence and correlates of DUI of alcohol (DUI-A), cannabis (DUI-C), and both (DUI-A+C) in adolescents who reported past-year alcohol and cannabis use.

Method: The study sample comprised 3,175 [(47.9 % females; M_age (SD) = 16.76 (.70)] Spanish adolescents from a national representative survey (ESTUDES) conducted by the Spanish Ministry of Health. Hierarchical regression models were conducted to identify correlates of DUI-A only, DUI-C only, and both behaviors, including sociodemographic, substance use and parental control variables.

Results: Past-year prevalence of DUI was 9.9 % among past-year alcohol and cannabis users. Past-year DUI of substances was more likely among males (15.4 %) relative to females (6 %) [χ² = 73.39, p = <.001, Φ = .152]. Being male, reporting higher past-month days of cannabis use and cannabis-related problems were common risk factors for DUI-C and DUI-A+C. Risk factors of DUI-A were greater money availability for going out, higher past-month frequency of heavy drinking episodes and lower past-month cannabis use days. Specific correlates of DUI-A+C were being 18, past-year simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use, and earlier age of alcohol use initiation.

Conclusions: There is a need to address DUI in substance use prevention in school settings. Screening should be particularly focused on adolescent substance users, while interventions should target attitudes and risk of substance use and driving.