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

Abstract #116754

Antonia Abbey, PhD¹, Angela J. Jacques, BA¹, Lenwood W. Hayman Jr., BA¹, and Joanne Sobeck, PhD². (1) Department of Community Medicine, Wayne State University, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, 313 577-9281, ad2687@wayne.edu, (2) Social Work, Wayne State University, 4756 Cass, Detroit, MI 48202

Substance use begins at an alarmingly young age. Among American high school students, 27.8% reported that they began using alcohol, 18.3% began using cigarettes, and 9.9% began using marijuana before age 13 (CDC, 2003). Numerous theories of the etiology of substance use have been developed and some prevention programs have shown promising results in rigorous evaluation designs. Nonetheless, much is still unknown about the transition period in which youth move from nonuse to use. The study described here examined the role of psychosocial factors in explaining substance use among sixth graders. Data were collected from 420 students in a large urban public school district during the fall and spring of sixth grade. Ninety-two percent of the students were African American and 50% lived with a single parent. At the beginning of sixth grade, 46.7% of students reported using alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana; 64.0% reported use of one or more of these substances by the end of sixth grade. In bivariate analyses, self-efficacy, peer pressure susceptibility, and school attachment at Time 1 were significantly correlated with substance use during the last 30 days at Time 2. In multiple regression analyses, which controlled for Time 1 use and demographic variables, Time 1 peer pressure susceptibility and school attachment significantly predicted Time 2 substance use. These findings demonstrate the importance of positive school experiences as youth transition from elementary to middle school. The types of primary prevention programs that are likely to be most successful in urban schools are also discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will

• have a better understanding of the predictors of early substance use
• be able to apply this knowledge to their selection of prevention programs for urban youth

Keywords: Adolescents, Substance Abuse Prevention

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.