Self-reported psychopathology among young, low-income, female ecstasy users.
Z Helen Wu, Jacques G Baillargeon, Abbey B Berenson, Charles E Holzer
Journal of Addictive Diseases 2008 DOI: 10.1080/10550880802324895 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Young, low-income females seeking care at university family planning clinics in Texas |
| Measures | Young Adult Self-Report |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Ecstasy users were more likely than exclusive marijuana users to report delinquent behaviors and thought problems, and those who continued using any illicit drugs showed the most severe psychopathology. The authors suggest these elevated rates may be partly attributable to multiple drug use. |
Abstract
This study examined the association of ecstasy (methylenedioxy-methylamphethamine) use with psychopathology among young, low-income females who sought care at university family planning clinics in Texas between December 2001 and May 2003. Participants reported drug use history and eight problem behavior syndromes by using the Young Adult Self-Report. The prevalence of ecstasy use was approximately 15%. About 90% of ecstasy users reported having used other drugs. Overall, ecstasy users were more likely to have exhibited delinquent behaviors and thought problems than exclusive marijuana users. Ecstasy users who continued to use any illicit drugs showed the most severe psychopathology. These findings indicate that elevated rates of self-reported psychopathology among ecstasy users may be partly attributable to the use of multiple drugs. Furthermore, it will also be important for future studies to assess the extent to which delinquent behaviors and thought problems mediate the transition of marijuana use to ecstasy use.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- The confounding problem of polydrug use in recreational ecstasy/MDMA users: a brief overview Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Ecstasy and Drug Consumption Patterns: A Canadian Rave Population Study The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry August 1, 2002
- Is the Use of Ecstasy and Hallucinogens Increasing? European Addiction Research 1998
- MDMA polydrug users show processspecific central executive impairments coupled with impaired social and emotional judgement processes Journal of Psychopharmacology March 30, 2006
- Psychological profile of abstinent recreational Ecstasy (MDMA) users and significance of concomitant cannabis use Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
and 2 more in the library