Filtered Publications

Early onset substance use and social anxiety have both been linked to poor academic performance, but research has not considered how these issues may be related. Within the TX-YDSRN sample, this study aimed to investigate if problematic substance use is associated with poorer school functioning and how social anxiety may play a role in this relationship. Over 20% of youth had problematic substance use, mostly with alcohol and marijuana use. While problematic substance use was linked to poorer school functioning, having social anxiety did not impact that relationship. This paper shows that substance use may be an important point of intervention for youth with poor school performance.

Baronia, R., Minshall, B. L., Minhajuddin, A., Goodman, L. C., Marino, E. N., Egan, D., Armstrong, G. M., Baughn, D., Lokubandara, A. H., Martin, S. L., Soares, J. C., Wakefield, S. M., & Trivedi, M. H. (2026). Impact of problematic substance use and social anxiety on school functioning: Insights from the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network. PLOS mental health, 3(7), e0000621. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000621

• Anxiety

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Suicide attempts and ideation along with depression are rising amongst young people, with suicide the third leading cause of death in adolescents. Because of this urgent mental health crisis, it is important to understand the factors associated with suicide risk and depression. Substance use is one factor that has been previously linked to increased suicide risk. Here, we studied the relationship between suicidality, depression, and substance use. In a sample of youth with depression, those with problematic substance use tended to have increased suicidal ideation or history of attempts, be older, and have more problems with school functioning compared to those without problematic use. However, problematic substance use did not impact the relationship between severity of depression and suicidality. These findings show an increased suicide risk in youth with problematic substance use, highlighting the need to identify and intervene in youth substance use.

Armstrong, G. M., Anderberg, J. L., Gorman, A. R., Spencer, S. D., Minhajuddin, A., Ecker, A. H., Spofford, J., Guzick, A. G., Slater, H., Aloor, F. Z., Flores, A. M., Lagrone, J. M., Marino, E. N., Soutullo, C. A., Wakefield, S. M., Goodman, W. K., Trivedi, M. H., & Storch, E. A. (2025). Problematic Substance Use in Depressed Youth: Associations with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt History. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 21(1), 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2024.2434219

• Depression
• Suicidality

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Depression and substance use have a bi-directional relationship, but research in youth has focused on single substances and ignored comorbidities. We sought to gain a wider perspective by considering substance use of any kind, psychiatric symptoms, and demographic features together. Advanced grouping techniques identified three patterns of past-year substance use in depressed youth: non-use; moderate likelihood of using alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis; and high likelihood of using all substances. We then considered whether any demographic or psychiatric factors might predict substance use group. Compared to non-users, moderate and high likelihood users tended to be older. Youth in the high likelihood group were more likely to have a substance use disorder, ADHD, and higher suicidality. These findings suggest universal screening for substance use among depressed youth would help increase early intervention and customized care.

Clark, S. L., Dodd, C. G., Mitchell, T. B., Ingram, S. J., Armstrong, G. M., Jha, M. K., Soares, J. C., Smith, M., Minhajuddin, A., Slater, H., Wakefield, S. M. & Trivedi, M. H. (2024). Substance use patterns and mental health comorbidities in youth with a history of depression or suicidality: Findings from TX-YDSRN. Journal of Affective Disorders, 366, 210-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.128

• Depression
• Suicidality

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