# Perceived risk of substance use and associations with early experimentation: A latent profile analysis using ABCD study data

## TL;DR

This study identifies different ways children aged 9-14 perceive substance use risks and finds that those with lower perceived harm are more likely to experiment with substances.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach using latent profile analysis to identify distinct perceived harm profiles in early adolescence linked to substance experimentation.

## Key findings

- Four distinct profiles of perceived harm were identified among youth.
- Low perceived harm was strongly associated with higher likelihood of tobacco and alcohol experimentation.
- Selective high-harm perceptions did not fully protect against experimentation.

## Abstract

The current study aims to determine heterogenous latent profiles of substance use perceived harm and examine the concurrent associations between profiles and substance use experimentation.

We used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (5.1 data release) 1-year follow up. Participants (N = 11184) were 52.2% male between the ages of 9 and 14 (Mage = 10.48, SD = 0.65). Latent profile analysis was used with 11 perceived harm indicators. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between profile membership and substance use experimentation (i.e., alcohol sipping, tobacco puffing, and cannabis puffing).

A four-profile solution fit the data best. The four profiles included participants in 1) high harm perceptions across all substances, 2) low harm perceptions across all substances, 3) moderate harm perceptions across all substances, and 4) selective high-harm perceptions for some substances. Those in the low harm profile (AOR = 4.99, p < .01) and selective high-harm profile (AOR = 3.04, p < .05) were more likely to report puffing tobacco compared to the high harm profile. Also, those in the moderate harm profile (AOR = 1.36, p < .05) and those in the selective high-harm profile (AOR = 1.56, p < .001) were more likely to report sipping alcohol compared to the high harm group.

The four-profile solution illustrates meaningful heterogeneity in how youth perceive substance-related harm, suggesting the need for more tailored prevention approaches rather than one-size-fits-all messaging considering that even partial recognition of risk may not fully protect against experimenting with substances.

•Very few studies examine perceived harm and substance use experimentation (e.g., sipping alcohol, puffing tobacco/marijuana) in ages 9-10.•Four heterogenous profiles emerged using 11 perceived risk indicators across substances and varying levels of use intensity.•Adolescents perceiving low harm, or low harm for light use but high harm for heavy use, were more likely to report experimentation.

Very few studies examine perceived harm and substance use experimentation (e.g., sipping alcohol, puffing tobacco/marijuana) in ages 9-10.

Four heterogenous profiles emerged using 11 perceived risk indicators across substances and varying levels of use intensity.

Adolescents perceiving low harm, or low harm for light use but high harm for heavy use, were more likely to report experimentation.