This study aims to identify empirically-driven classes of age-of-onset across multiple substances (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) and to characterize the different classes in relation to mental health and substance use severity. The sample comprised 1,051 young adults (aged 18–25; 61.9% women), recruited from universities and vocational schools in Spain, who reported lifetime alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires about demographics, substance use and mental health. A latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted using the age of onset of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use as an indicator. Three distinct classes were identified: C1 (45%), characterized by early alcohol and late cannabis and tobacco use; C2 (49.1%) presenting early alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use; and C3 (5.9%) showing late alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use. Classes 1 and 2 exhibited the poorest psychosocial functioning, and Class 2 showed the highest levels of impulsivity traits. There were within-class sex differences, which suggested poorer mental health in females. The findings support the idea that early-onset use of the three substances is common and that this pattern is associated with increased involvement in substance use and poor mental health.

本研究旨在确定多种物质（酒精、烟草、大麻）的经验驱动的发病年龄类别，并描述不同类别与心理健康和物质使用严重程度的关系。该样本由从西班牙大学和职业学校招募的 1,051 名年轻人（18-25 岁；61.9% 为女性）组成，他们报告了终生酗酒、吸烟和大麻的情况。参与者被要求完成有关人口统计、物质使用和心理健康的调查问卷。使用酒精、烟草和大麻使用的发病年龄作为指标进行了潜在类别分析（LCA）。确定了三个不同的类别： C1 (45%)，其特点是早期酗酒和晚期吸食大麻和烟草；C2 (49.1%) 表示早期酗酒、吸食大麻和吸烟；C3（5.9%）显示晚期饮酒、大麻和烟草的使用。1 级和 2 级表现出最差的心理社会功能，而 2 级表现出最高水平的冲动特征。班级内存在性别差异，这表明女性的心理健康状况较差。研究结果支持这样的观点，即早期使用这三种物质很常见，并且这种模式与物质使用的增加和心理健康状况不佳有关。