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328492
Using Community Based Participatory Research to Explore Marijuana Use Among 1.5 and 2nd Generation Muslim Adolescents and Emerging Adults


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Taqi Tirmazi, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Anthony Estreet, Ph.D., LCSW-C, LCADC, School of Social Work, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Forough Saadatmand, PhD, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University, Washington D.C., DC
Takisha Carter, MSW, School of Social Work, Howard University, Washington D.C., DC
Background and Purpose: Although, there has been a slight increase in research among Muslim adolescents, their experience as an ethnic and religious minority continues to be overlooked especially in the drug abuse literature.  Several studies indicate that Muslim/Arab/South Asian youth have lower rates of engagement in risk behaviors common to their age group (Bradby, 2006; Bradby, 2007; Islam & Johnson, 2003) with the exception of tobacco use (Islam & Johnson, 2003).  However, preliminary and informal data indicates that these aforementioned trends may be shifting as immigrant Muslim youth transition from second to third generation. This qualitative study explored marijuana use among a sample of Muslim adolescents and emerging adults in the U.S.

Methods:  This study employed a modified CBPR approach in exploring marijuana use among Muslim adolescents and emerging adults. Five focus groups were conducted (n=48) consisting of first and second generation Muslim adolescents and emerging adults between the age of 18 – 24.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed the following themes: First, participants first experimented with marijuana during later adolescents with (38%) of the respondents reported having ever used marijuana in their lifetime, with 25% using marijuana 1 to 3 times over the past month, and 16% using marijuana at least 1 time over the past week. Second, participants did not feel marijuana use has negative consequences on their physical health, social emotional state, and their academic performance. Third, participants explained using marijuana during group socialization and for relaxation purposes. Fourth, all of the participants recognized that marijuana is considered “Haram” (forbidden) in Islam; however, their perceptions vary greatly. Fifth, males had higher marijuana use than females. Lastly, only other drug use mentioned was tobacco with cigarettes and hookah being most common methods of use.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify and discuss factors contributing to ATOD among immigrant Muslim adolescents and emerging adults. Describe and explain the impact of religion, culture, and acculturation on marijuana use among immigrant Muslim adolescents and emerging adults.

Keyword(s): Faith Community, Immigrant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal on multiple studies related to psychological functioning and behavioral health among Muslim youth, adolescents, and emerging adults.
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.

Back to: 4180.0: Substance use in specific populations