Latent Profile Analyses of Addiction and Mental Health Problems in Two Large Samples

This study explored patterns of addictive behaviours and mental health symptoms among two distinct, non-treatment-seeking samples. A total of 1612 undergraduate students and 607 community-based adults reported on substance use (alcohol, cannabis, vaping), behavioural addictions (gambling, gaming, shopping, eating, sex), mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, ADHD), and psychosocial variables (impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, childhood adversity, social support). Latent profile analysis was used to classify participants into statistically distinct and homogenous subgroups based on addiction and mental health indicator variables. A three-step procedure was performed to predict latent profile membership based on psychosocial variables. In each sample, parallel three-profile solutions emerged. Profile 1 (the “normative” profile) was the largest and characterized by low problematic substance use, behavioural addictions, and mental distress. Profile 2 (the “behavioural and mental health” profile) was characterized by low problematic substance use, and elevated behavioural addictions and mental distress. Profile 3 (the “substance, behavioural, and mental health” profile) was characterized by elevated problematic substance use, behavioural addictions, and mental distress. Non-normative profiles differed from the normative profile on several psychosocial variables. Results highlight the tendency for problems with addiction and mental health to co-occur, underscoring the need for greater emphasis on assessing and treating concurrent disorders.