Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #101318

ManSoo Yu, MSW, MA, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, (314) 432-0187, msy1@wustl.edu and Arlene R. Stiffman, PhD, School of Social Work, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899.

Substance abuse or dependence is the most urgent health problem facing American Indian adolescents. On the basis of the merging of two theories: Problem behavior theory (Jessor & Jessor, 1977) and social ecological theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), this study examines multiple and joint factors associated with American Indian adolescent substance abuse/dependence symptoms. A stratified sample of 341 American Indian adolescents (aged 13 to 18 years), living in Southwestern urban and reservation areas, was interviewed in both 2001 and 2004. We utilized Diagnostic Interview Schedule to assess tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse/dependence symptoms, and measured familial, social and cultural environment. Significantly more reservation than urban youth had substance abuse/dependence symptoms in both waves. Consistent with the two theories, multiple regression analysis showed that earlier substance problems (substance abuse/dependence symptoms and tobacco use), current environmental problems (family members' mental health problems, misbehaving peers, and negative neighborhood problems), and generic cultural activities were positively associated with adolescent substance symptoms. On the other hand, current cultural pride was a protective factor relating to such symptoms. Negative effects on earlier substance problems and environment on adolescent substance abuse/dependence symptoms should be assessed for and incorporated into intervention and prevention plans. Pride in being American Indian appears helpful, but it did not mediate or moderate between the risk factors and substance symptoms.

Learning Objectives:

Session participants will be able to
• Identify similarities and differences in personal, familial, social and cultural domains between reservation and urban American Indian adolescents.
• Explain how earlier substance problems, environment, and culture influence adolescent substance abuse/dependence symptoms.

Keywords: Culture, Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation