Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-2019

Abstract

Data on all outpatient opioid prescriptions (N=71,647) to youth below age 21 (N=42,020) from 2005-2016 were extracted from electronic medical records within a university hospital system, including demographic characteristics, markers of morbidity, and mortality. Relative risk was calculated for markers of morbidity and mortality based on sociodemographic characteristics. The sample was primarily male (55.0%), Hispanic/Latino (50.1%), English-speaking (88.9%), and publicly insured(50.1%). Mean age was 13.54 (sd = 6.50). From 2005-2016, overall frequency of opioid prescriptions increased by 86.6% (from 2470 to 4610) with the largest increase (206.2%) observed from 2005-2008 (2470 to 7562). Patients who were older, White, and Non-Hispanic were more likely to receive multiple opioid prescriptions. Large increases in opioid-related morbidity and mortality were documented, although base-rates remained low. Significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes was observed in patients receiving multiple opioid prescriptions, and in patients who were older, of minority race, and publicly insured or uninsured.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Kevin E. Vowles

Second Committee Member

Katie Witkiewitz

Third Committee Member

E. Evan Rivers

Fourth Committee Member

Tonya Palermo

Fifth Committee Member

Cornelius Groenewald

Sponsors

University of New Mexico Center for Regional Studies

Language

English

Keywords

opioid, adolescents, young adults, overdose, psychology

Document Type

Dissertation

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