Using the Primary Socialization Theory to Predict Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors Between Black and White Adolescents

Abstract

Using the Primary Socialization Theory (PST), we examined substance use and sexual risk-taking behaviors between Black (N = 1,464) and White (N = 3,946) adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Wave 1, public use (Add Health). Self-reported substance use and sexual risk-taking behaviors, PST constructs, and covariates were assessed using regression modeling techniques. Black youth were more likely to initiate sex, while White youth were more likely to report lifetime alcohol use. The PST predicted risk for White but not Black youth. The study's limitations are noted, and implications for future research are discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

Utilisation de la théorie de la socialisation primaire à prévoir l’utilisation de substances et les comportements sexuels à risque parmi le blanc et le noir adolescents

Utilisation de la théorie de la socialisation primaire (TVP), qui a examiné l’utilisation de substances et les comportements sexuels à risque chez les Black (N = 1464) et White (N = 3946) chez les adolescents l’Enquête longitudinale nationale sur la santé des adolescents, Wave 1 usage public (Ajouter la santé). Auto-évaluation de l’utilisation de substances et les comportements sexuels à risque, la TVP construit, et covariables ont été évaluées en utilisant les techniques de modélisation de régression. Jeunes Noirs étaient plus susceptibles d’engager le sexe, tandis que les jeunes Blancs étaient plus susceptibles de déclarer la vie de l’alcool. Le risque de TVP prévu Blanc Noir, mais pas les jeunes. Implications pour la recherche future sont discutés.

RESUMEN

Utilizando la teoría de socialización primaria para predecir el uso de sustancias y los comportamientos de riesgo sexual entre blanco y negro adolescentes

Usando la Teoría de socialización primaria (PST), que examinó el uso de sustancias sexual y comportamientos de riesgos entre Negro (N = 1464) y White (N = 3946) en los adolescentes el Estudio Nacional Longitudinal de Salud Adolescente, Wave 1 uso público (Añadir la Salud). Auto-reporte de uso de sustancias y sexual de riesgo comportamientos, PST construye, y covariables se evaluaron utilizando técnicas de modelado de regresión. Negro jóvenes tenían más probabilidades de iniciar relaciones sexuales, mientras que los jóvenes blancos tenían más probabilidades de presentar toda la vida el uso del alcohol. El PST riesgo previsto para Blanco Negro, pero no la juventud. Implicaciones para la investigación futura se discuten.

Keywords :

• Adolescents
• HIV
• substance use
• behavioral theories
• sexual risk taking
• risk behaviors

THE AUTHORS

Roland J. Thorpe, Jr., is an assistant scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Core Faculty of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions. Dr. Thorpe is a gerontologist and epidemiologist whose research agenda focuses on the association of race, SES, and segregation with health and functional outcomes among middle- to old-age adults. Some of his most recent work appears in Social Science & Medicine and Addiction.

Dr. Shelley A. Francis is currently a senior instructor in the Division of Public Health in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Her research focuses on examining health disparities, HPV and cervical cancer, HPV vaccine acceptability among disadvantaged populations, and correlates of HIV risk and substance use among adolescents. Dr. Francis's most recent work appears in the Journal of Religion and Health, Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, and Sexually Transmitted Disease.