Strengths of this study include the nationwide sample and prospective longitudinal design. Rates of substance use were estimated within a weighted sample with demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds representative of same-aged youth in a recent U.S. Census. The large sample size was necessary to reliably estimate substance use, which occurs infrequently during early adolescence. The nationwide scope of the sample was important to ensure findings did not reflect a location-unique impact of the pandemic. Finally, youth had completed multiple prepandemic assessments of substance use, enabling us to evaluate changes over time without relying on retrospective report of use. Together, findings highlight the critical role of both pre-existing and acute risk/protective factors and suggest economic support to families and emotional support to youth as potential strategies to mitigate risk of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
