Project Summary

The MTF Longitudinal Panel study has collected data every year since 1976 and this cycle will include ~136,000 people from 56 consecutive graduating high school classes (1976–2032). MTF has become one of the nation’s most relied upon sources of information on emerging trends in substance use among adolescents and young, midlife, and older adults in the United States. The longitudinal surveys include nationally representative samples of high school students with follow-ups at ages 19–30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and now 70.

The main Monitoring the Future study covers in-school data collections and, together with the MTF Longitudinal Panel, comprise the integrated MTF study.

The panel monitors factors that may explain historical trends and cohort differences, as well as the individual and contextual characteristics and social role transitions that contribute to change and stability in use and related attitudes. The long-term follow-up now includes data at age 70 among cohorts who were in high school during historic peaks in teen substance use and are now facing declining health decades later.

The study’s broad measurement covers (1) initiation, use, and cessation for over 50 categories and subcategories of substances, including symptoms of substance use disorders; (2) attitudes and beliefs about many substances, including perceived risk of harm, disapproval, and availability; (3) other behaviors and individual characteristics, including sociodemographics, health behaviors and conditions, and future plans and aspirations; and (4) aspects of key social environments (i.e., home, work. and school) and social role statuses, experiences, and transitions. Linked mortality data from the National Death Index are also now available.

MTF elucidates substance use from adolescence through older adulthood—including the introduction of new drugs—with major implications for policy, research, treatment, and prevention agendas. The need to understand trends in substance use from adolescence to adulthood and consequences on health, well-being, and work and family life has never been greater.