Illicit Substance Use and Delinquency Among Argentine Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Illicit substance use and delinquency are significant public health challenges worldwide. These behaviors are closely interrelated and often emerge during adolescence, yet their manifestation is heterogeneous. Given this and their complex relationships with risk factors, identifying distinct profiles is particularly relevant in Latin America, where research remains limited. This study analyzed data from 2,059 Argentine adolescents (ages 13-18) who participated in the International Self-Report Delinquency Study-4, to identify subgroups based on lifetime illicit substance use (cannabis and other drugs) and non-violent and violent delinquency, both online and offline, and to explore covariates for each group. A Latent Class Analysis revealed three subgroups: low-risk (73.5%), high-delinquency (18.1%), and co-occurrence (8.4%). Multinomial regression showed that peer delinquency, low self-control, and poor parental supervision were associated with both high-risk groups. Being male was associated with the high-delinquency class, while older age and low happiness were associated with the co-occurrence class. Low future expectations, perceived discrimination, and neighborhood disorganization were not significantly associated with any of the classes. These findings provide evidence of the complexity of adolescent risk patterns and suggest that prevention should adopt differentiated responses accordingly. Shared covariates may inform comprehensive strategies, while unique predictors highlight the need for targeted interventions.