246722 Compensatory and risk factors for substance use in African American youth

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 11:10 AM

Courtney Peasant, MS , Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Theresa Okwumabua, PhD , Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Andrea Watson, MS , Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Kristin Walker, PhD , Department of Teacher Talent and Effectiveness, Memphis City Schools, Memphis, TN
Background: Substance use among youth must be understood within a cultural context for populations such as African American youth. Research has not elucidated which factors are the most predictive of substance use and attitudes toward substance use among African American adolescents; nor has it examined how factors interact and create vulnerability or protective mechanisms for attitudes toward substances and substance involvement. This study‘s purpose is to examine the influence of risk and compensatory factors (i.e. racial attitudes, school connectedness, family connectedness, conflict resolution style, and risky peer association) on substance use and attitudes toward substance use; and to examine the effect of racial attitudes on risky peer association as it relates to substance use and attitudes toward substance use. Methods: Participants of this study were 49 African American adolescents, ages 12-16. The measures used in this study were the (1) Tennessee Alcohol and Drug Prevention Outcome Longitudinal Evaluation (TADPOLE) Substance Attitude and Behavior Survey; (2) Stephan Rosenfield Racial Attitude Scale; (3) Banks Self- Esteem Scale; (4) Peer Association Scale; (5) Anger Style Inventory. Results: Results indicate that conflict resolution skills t (40) = 2.815, p = .01, risky peer association t (40) = 2.21, p = .03, and the interaction between racial attitudes and risky peer association t (40) = 2.40, p= .02 contributed to substance involvement. School connectedness t (41) = -2.45 p = .02 was a significant predictor of favorable attitudes toward substance use. Conclusions: Findings have implications for the prevention of substance use among African American adolescents.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Assess the extent to which traditional risk and compensatory factors are relevant to the substance use behaviors of African American youth. Explore unique factors, that may also influence substance use among African American adolescents.

Keywords: African American, Substance Abuse Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have conducted this research independently under the supervision of a committee of credentialed professionals.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.