Testing the Length of Time Theory of Recall Decay: Examining Substance Use Report Stability With 10 Years of National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Data.

Aim: This article examines whether the proportion of recanters increases (or decreases) as a function of time o test length of time theory. Sample: 2,221 US respondents in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth child data. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Among recanters, 50%% of cigarette and alcohol users recanted use by 4 years, and 50%% of marijuana users recanted by 3 years. Predictors of recanting was being Black or Hispanic and younger age. The theory was not supported. Further research is needed to identify potential reasons why adolescents recant their use is such a short time span. The study's limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]