2023
Adolescent Polysubstance Use and Co-Occurring Weapon Carrying, Bullying Victimization, and Depressive Symptomology: Patterns and Differences in the United States
Weerakoon S, Henson-Garcia M, Abraham A, Vidot D, Messiah S, Opara I. Adolescent Polysubstance Use and Co-Occurring Weapon Carrying, Bullying Victimization, and Depressive Symptomology: Patterns and Differences in the United States. Child Psychiatry & Human Development 2023, 1-12. PMID: 37477824, PMCID: PMC11229529, DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01573-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBullying victimizationPolysubstance useUnited StatesPrevalence of polysubstance useWeapon-carryingMultiracial youthVictimsBullyingYouthWeaponsPolysubstance combinationsAdolescent substanceFrequent useRisky behaviorsNational prevalenceNon-Hispanic whitesMental healthLogistic regressionHigh school studentsPoor mental healthPolysubstanceViolenceDepressive symptomsDemographic characteristicsOdds
2021
COVID-19 related employment change is associated with increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic
Weerakoon S, Jetelina K, Knell G, Messiah S. COVID-19 related employment change is associated with increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2021, 47: 730-736. PMID: 34043919, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1912063.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol consumptionAssociated with increased alcohol consumptionLoss of employmentDepressive symptomsCombined effects of depressive symptomsEffect of depressive symptomsInteractive effects of depressionAssociated with mental illnessDrink more alcoholEffects of depressionIncreased alcohol consumptionWeb-based surveyMultinomial regression modelsCOVID-19 pandemicAlcohol harmMental illnessEmployment statusSelf-reportCOVID-19Regression modelsPre-pandemicEmployment changesDepressionParticipantsAssociation
2020
Longer time spent at home during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with binge drinking among US adults
Weerakoon S, Jetelina K, Knell G. Longer time spent at home during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with binge drinking among US adults. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2020, 47: 98-106. PMID: 33280423, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2020.1832508.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19-related stressorsBinge drinkingAlcohol consumptionCurrent depressive symptomsNon-binge drinkersDiagnosis of depressionPandemic-related stressorsAssociated with binge drinkingOdds of binge drinkingSelf-report surveyDepressive symptomsBinge drinkersBingeAssociated with changesStressorsPopulation health consequencesExacerbate stressorsLimited researchDrinkersUnited StatesAlcoholCOVID-19 pandemicDrinkingMultinomial regression modelsAdults