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

Abstract #114488

Juan C. Reyes, EdD¹, Rafaela R. Robles, EdD¹, Hector M. Colon, PhD², C. Amalia Marrero, MPH¹, Tomás D. Matos, MS¹, Juan Negrón, MPH, PhDc³, and José M. Calderón, MS⁴. (1) Center for Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032, 787-288-0200, jcreyes@uccaribe.edu, (2) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamon, PR 00960-6032, (3) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Call Box 60327, Bayamón, PR 00960-3062, (4) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, P.O. Box 60327, Bayamón, 00960-6032

This study aimed to ascertain the influence of neighborhood disorganization and substance abuse on delinquent behaviors among Puerto Rican adolescents. A total of 586 drug-using (n=127) and non-drug-using parents (n=459) and offspring residing in poor neighborhoods comprise the study sample. This sample was selected from census blocks surrounding identified copping areas (outdoor drug-selling areas). Parents and their offspring were administered an interview protocol in their homes, utilizing a computer-assisted personal interviewing program. The Spanish version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) assessed substance abuse and depression among parents. Drug use was corroborated through saliva tests to test the presence of cocaine, amphetamines, morphine and THC. A delinquent behavior index was calculated from ten questions regarding behaviors over the past 12 months (e.g. carried a weapon, belonged to a gang, threatened to hurt someone or physically attacked someone). Of 586 adolescents, the overall prevalence of delinquent behavior was 28.4%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that males (OR=1.9, CI=1.2-2.9) and those who use alcohol (OR=2.4, CI=1.4-4.2) and illegal drugs (OR=10.3, CI=1.7-62.2) were more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. Neighborhood social disorder was significantly associated with delinquency. Adolescents who saw someone carrying a weapon (OR=2.4, CI=1.4-3.8) and those who saw their neighbors trafficking drugs (OR=2.4, CI=1.5-3.8) were significantly more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. Neighborhood physical disorder (e.g. graffiti, abandoned buildings and shooting galleries) was not significantly associated with delinquency. This study suggests that reducing neighborhood social disorder may be efficacious in preventing youth delinquent behaviors and their associated consequences.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the neighborhood disorganization factors that are associated with delinquent behavior among adolescents.
• To assess the influence of drug using parents on their offspring delinquent behavior.
• To discuss the significance of reducing neighborhood social disorder and substance use in the prevention of delinquent behavior.

Keywords: Substance Abuse, Adolescents

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.