Substance Use Among Asian-American Adolescents: Perceptions of Use and Preferences for Prevention Programming

Abstract

Rarely has substance use prevention programming targeted Asian-American adolescents. Using a focus group methodology, we explored perceptions of substance use and preferences for prevention programming among 31 Asian-American adolescents in New York City. Participants considered substance use common in the community. Factors contributing to substance use among Asian-American adolescents (e.g., peer pressure, pressure to achieve, family factors, and community influence) were identified, and the need for prevention programs tailored for the Asian-American community was highlighted. Participants discussed preferred program content, delivery settings, and recruitment and retention strategies. Despite the favorable attitude for family-based prevention programming, participants raised potential issues concerning the feasibility of such a program. Study findings facilitate understanding of Asian-American adolescents' substance use behavior and shed light on prevention program development for this underserved population.

Keywords:

• Asian Americans
• adolescents
• substance use
• prevention
• model minority
• parents

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Charles B. Wang Community Health Center for their generosity and support of this research, and extend appreciation to the Asian-American adolescents who participated in the study. The authors also thank Ms. Cindy Heng for her contribution in conducting the focus groups, and Dr. Denise Burnette and the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments. The study was funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse, University of Toronto Connaught Program, and Social Policy Research Center, National Taiwan University.