Predicting trajectories of substance use during emerging adulthood: Exploring the benefits of group-based trajectory modeling for zero-inflated outcomes

Stephanie Hazel Cook, Erica Paige Wood, Marc Scott, Kristyn Amber Pierce, Farzana Kapadia, Perry N. Halkitis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The application of group-based trajectory analysis with a zero-inflation specification to understand adaptations in alcohol and marijuana use among sexual minorities during the emerging adulthood period is underutilized. We propose a series of four steps in the application of group-based trajectory analysis for outcomes that follow a zero-inflated distribution. In addition, using a longitudinal cohort study of emerging adult sexual minority men (n = 597) we provide an example of how to obtain group-based trajectory profiles of alcohol and marijuana use among emerging adult sexual minority men with a zeroinflated specification. In addition, we examined racial/ethnic differences in trajectory profiles. Findings suggest that there were five distinct alcohol and marijuana use trajectories that were reliably predicted by racial/ethnic identity for alcohol but not marijuana utilizing the zero-inflated specification. A summary of findings and concluding remarks related to the utility of this modeling technique are presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)291-311
Number of pages21
JournalTPM - Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2020

Keywords

  • Group-based trajectory analysis
  • Racial/ethnic disparities
  • Sexual minority youth
  • Substance use
  • Zero-inflated modeling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychology (miscellaneous)

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