Perceived risk of harm and intentions of future inhalant use among adolescent inhalant users

To identify predictors of perceived (a) risk of harm associated with inhalant use and (b) intention to use inhalants among adolescent inhalant users.

Participants were 279 lifetime inhalant users (M(age)=15.5, 84% male) identified in a statewide survey of 723 adolescents in Missouri Division of Youth Services' residential care for antisocial conduct. Youth completed interviews assessing inhalant and other drug use, psychiatric symptoms, and antisocial traits/behavior.

More than one-third (37%) of youth perceived experimental inhalant use as of slight or no risk; one-in-eight (11.9%) youth perceived regular inhalant use as of slight or no risk. Risk perceptions of experimental and regular inhalant use were not associated with intentions to use. Youth with friends/siblings who use inhalants were less likely to perceive risks associated with experimental and regular inhalant use compared to youth without friends/sibling users. Adolescents who were younger and those with more extensive substance abuse problems, prior problems with inhalants, greater current psychiatric distress, and friends/siblings who use inhalants were significantly more likely to report intentions of future inhalant use than their counterparts.

Assessments of substance use among youth, particularly those in the criminal justice system, should include an assessment of inhalant use. Intervention efforts should focus on developing strategies for managing social network influences.