American Indian Youth: Ethnic Identity, Permissive Drug Perceptions, and the use of Drug Resistance Strategies

In 2010, American Indians (AI) aged 12 or older had the highest substance use rate (16%) and the highest tobacco use rate (35%) compared to all other racial/ethnic groups. One of the proposed explanations for this trend is the relationship between ethnic identity (EI) and parent/grandparent permissive drug perceptions (DP); however, research is limited in this area. The sample for this study are urban AI adolescents (N=196, Mean age=12.4, 52.7% female) that participated in a culturally tailored drug prevention curriculum teaching drug resistance strategies (DRS). The curriculum, Living in Two Worlds (L2W) was adapted from keepin' it REAL (Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave), a SAMHSA model program and added four more culturally-based DRSs (Redirect, Humor, Cultural Story, Throw Away). A pre and post survey assessed EI, past 30 day drug use, and use of the DRS. A sequential logit model was used. Findings indicate that EI and DPs were not associated with AI adolescent DRS use, but among students who used DRSs, EI (OR= .17, p < .05) and DPs (OR= .44, p < .10) were significantly associated with the use of DRSs regarding cigarette use. Because L2W teaches a broad mix of cultural material from a variety of AI tribes, a proposed explanation is youth who have stronger EI may rely on distinct strategies of their tribe. This indicates the need to further define the role that AI culture and family plays in youth drug use, which can better inform prevention efforts with this population.