Exploring Predictive Factors for Substance Use in African American and Hispanic Youth Using an Ecological Approach

Abstract

This cross sectional descriptive study used Hierarchical regression, with Bronfenbrenner's framework, to examine the ‘system’ factors that significantly predicted substance-using behavior in an African American/Hispanic, non-clinical, convenience sample of urban youth to move beyond individualistic explanations for youth substance use. Participants (N= 98), age 11–17, with self/parent written consent, completed, individually, a ten-page questionnaire. Regression analysis indicated that youth with higher depression scores, perceived primary caregiver problems, and violence exposure tended to report substance use. Parent/school/community prevention efforts might focus assessment/prevention on youth/caregiver depression and family relationships, as they may be crucial protective factors against violent environments, trauma response, and mood-altering substance use.

Key Words:

• Substance use
• African American
• adolescents
• depression
• trauma
• prevention
• African American Hispanic youth
• adolescent substance use