This edited volume introduces the latest advances in quantitative methods and illustrates ways to apply these methods to important questions in substance use research. The goal is to provide a forum for dialogue between methodologists developing innovative multivariate statistical methods and substance use researchers who have produced rich data sets. Reflecting current research trends, the book examines the use of longitudinal techniques to measure processes of change over time. Researchers faced with the task of studying the causes, course, treatment, and prevention of substance use and abuse will find this volume helpful for applying these techniques to make optimal use of their data. This innovative volume: introduces the use of latent curve methods for describing individual trajectories of adolescent substance use over time; explores methods for analyzing longitudinal data for individuals nested within groups, such as families, classrooms, and treatment groups; demonstrates how different patterns of missing data influence the interpretation of results; reports on some recent advances in longitudinal growth modeling; illustrates methods to assess mediation when there are multiple mediating pathways underlying an intervention effect; describes methods to identify moderating relations in structural equation models; demonstrates the use of structural equation models to evaluate a preventive intervention; applies epidemic modeling techniques to understand the spread of substance use in society; illustrates the use of latent transition analysis to model substance use as a series of stages; and applies logistic regression to prospectively predict smoking cessation.

This edited volume introduces the latest advances in quantitative methods and illustrates ways to apply these methods to important questions in substance use research. The goal is to provide a forum for dialogue between methodologists developing innovative multivariate statistical methods and substance use researchers who have produced rich data sets.

Reflecting current research trends, the book examines the use of longitudinal techniques to measure processes of change over time. Researchers faced with the task of studying the causes, course, treatment, and prevention of substance use and abuse will find this volume helpful for applying these techniques to make optimal use of their data.

This innovative volume:

• introduces the use of latent curve methods for describing individual trajectories of adolescent substance use over time;
• explores methods for analyzing longitudinal data for individuals nested within groups, such as families, classrooms, and treatment groups;
• demonstrates how different patterns of missing data influence the interpretation of results;
• reports on some recent advances in longitudinal growth modeling;
• illustrates methods to assess mediation when there are multiple mediating pathways underlying an intervention effect;
• describes methods to identify moderating relations in structural equation models;
• demonstrates the use of structural equation models to evaluate a preventive intervention;
• applies epidemic modeling techniques to understand the spread of substance use in society;
• illustrates the use of latent transition analysis to model substance use as a series of stages; and
• applies logistic regression to prospectively predict smoking cessation.

Health and well-being during adolescence depends largely on the fit between the young person's developmental needs and desires and opportunities provided by the changing context. In Health Risks and Developmental Transitions, prominent researchers in the adolescent field examine how various developmental transitions associated with the passage from childhood to adulthood provide risks and opportunities for adolescents' mental and physical health. Given the importance of adolescence in determining the course of health and well-being across the life span, efforts to ease the various transitions into and out of adolescence will yield long-term health benefits. By focusing on the link between health risks, developmental transitions, individual and contextual conditions and planned interventions that moderate the link, this interdisciplinary book provides the foundation for a unifying framework for research and application in health and human development.

This book focuses on the different developmental transitions during adolescence and young adulthood and relates them to risks and benefits for young people's health and well-being. This book advocates the broadening of the concept of health promotion to include assistance with negotiating the several changes that occur as individuals move into and out of adolescence. Chapters from many of the most prominent researchers in the adolescent field from several countries are included in this edited volume.