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Abstract
This descriptive pilot study examined the relationship between African American and Hispanic youth's reported substance use and their perceived attachment with their primary caregiver. Thirty (N = 30) African American and Hispanic adolescents, age 14 through 17, were divided into two groups, those who reported using alcohol and/or drugs (n = 15) and those who did not (n = 15) The two groups were matched on race, age, gender, violence exposure, and community. Utilizing SPSS to conduct intercorelational and t-test analyses, the results showed that the African American and Hispanic youth who reported alcohol and/or drug use were significantly more likely to self-report greater problems in their primary caregiver relationships than those who did not. These findings suggest that assessment of family process is essential when a youth presents with substance use. Moreover, a universal prevention effort might entail incorporating healthy family process education as part of a preschool curriculum.