The Longitudinal – Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (L-OSDUHS)

The Longitudinal - Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (L-OSDUHS) is a longitudinal (long term) extension of the OSDUHS, a population survey of Ontario students. The L-OSDUHS studies health and wellbeing in two comparison groups of youth in grades 7 and 8: 1) a school-based sample of students from randomly selected schools, and 2) a clinic-based sample of youth seeking services for mental health or substance use concerns. Both groups will be surveyed initially, and in three annual follow-ups.

This research will identify determinants of health and wellbeing in this age group, and will assess the extent to which youth receive the services they need.  Studying the same individuals over time will allow us to see how mental health or substance use concerns may develop, and what factors are associated with improvement, and with continued good health and wellbeing among early and middle adolescents.

Youth participation is voluntary and anonymous. Students record their responses directly onto the questionnaire, and are instructed not to write their names on their surveys. The anonymous, self-administered questionnaire requires approximately 45 minutes to complete. All information regarding the survey sample remains completely confidential, and no study results ever identify individuals, schools or school boards. The survey will be in the field across the province starting in the fall of 2010.

This information will be used to inform prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use concerns among Ontario youth. The L-OSDUHS study will provide important information on adolescent development and on risk and protective factors in the development of mental health and substance issues. It will also track service utilization and identify barriers to receiving treatment and unmet needs for services. A further goal of this research is to build capacity and improve coordination of services for youth and their families in need of support. The L-OSDUHS is a project of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research Team in Innovations in Youth Concurrent Disorders.

2011 L-OSDUHS Questionnaire

The 2011 cycle of the L-OSDUHS will be in the field across the province until May 2011. Click below to view the contents of the 2011 L-OSDUHS.

• 2011 L-OSDUHS questions (PDF)

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