Adolescent and Parental Risk Perception of Alcohol and Marijuana Use and Well-being of Adolescents in Uruguay

In Uruguay, there is a high prevalence of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents. This study seeks to analyze the relationship between consumption, adolescent and parental risk perception, and subjective psychological well-being (SWB). The sample consisted of 102,490 school going adolescents from 12 to 21 years old. Analyses were performed based on sex, age, perception of drug use by family members, and access to marijuana. The findings indicate that alcohol consumption increases with age and is higher in girls. Marijuana use decreases toward late adolescence, showing no differences by gender. Girls have a higher perception of risk regarding frequent alcohol consumption. For marijuana, the perception of risk decreases with age and is higher in boys. Girls consider that it is easier to get marijuana. The declared SWB decreases toward 15 years old and increases in late adolescence; girls report a lower level generally. Adolescents with a higher risk perception and with parents who are intolerant to substance use reported a higher level of well-being. These results seek to provide evidence on possible factors that affect the consumption of substances among Uruguayan adolescents and their subjective well-being.