Family Factors of Low-Income African-American Youth Associated with Substance Use

Abstract

Objectives: An extensive body of literature has identified several risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use. Several facets of family relationships have been identified in the general adolescent and African-American adolescent substance use literature. There are gaps in the knowledge base for African-American rural youth living in poverty and would benefit from further exploration. It is possible that this unique population may exhibit trends not seen in the general population or urban African-American adolescents.

Method: A sample of 826 African-American adolescents, living in rural low-income areas and ranging in age from 14 to 19 years old were given a survey of 294 questions. Topics of the survey ranged from school attendance and attitudinal questions to queries concerning risk behaviors such as gang activity and substance use. Only variables concerning the family of the adolescent were used in this analysis. An exploratory analysis was performed to determine the relationship of family relationship variables to African-American rural adolescent substance use.

Results: The results suggest that several factors, namely existence of family rules and parental monitoring, are significant factors in buffering adolescent substance use for alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. These factors proved to be significant across gender.

Conclusions: The parent-adolescent relationship is an important factor influencing adolescent substance use. Also, the quality and type of parental/adolescent relationship is important. This relationship should also be targeted when considering any intervention for treating these adolescents. Further research should be conducted in this domain.

Key Words:

• Risk factors
• protective factors
• African-American youth