Interactional Theory: Its Utility in Explaining Drug Use Behavior Among African-American and Puerto Rican Youth

Abstract

Using a developmental family interactional theoretical framework giving primacy to the mutual attachment between parent and child, this study examines the interrelationship of acculturation, ecological, family, personality, peer and drug context domains with drug use. The extent to which family protective factors mitigated against risks for drug use from the remaining domains was assessed. The inner-city sample consisted of 695 African-American and 637 Puerto Rican 7th-10th graders. Hierarchical regression analyses supported the hypothesized sequence of interrelationships in both ethnic groups.

Key Words:

• Drug use
• Theory
• Family interaction
• Acculturation
• Ecology
• Personality
• Peer
• Context