NCJ Number
243520
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: January - March 2013 Pages: 82-105
Date Published
March 2013
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect of ethnicity and cultural identity on substance use among Asian and Pacific Islander adolescents.
Abstract
Few studies have examined the effect of ethnicity and cultural identity on substance use among Asian and Pacific Islander adolescents. A cross-sequential study conducted in Hawai'i with 144 Japanese and part-Japanese American adolescents assessed a model integrating Japanese ethnicity, cultural identity, substance use, major life events, and social support. Japanese American adolescents scored higher on the Japanese Culture Scale and on the Peers' Social Support than the part-Japanese American adolescents. Significant associations for substance use and impairment included culturally intensified events and Japanese cultural identity-behavior subset. Models had good overall fits and suggested that conflict surrounding cultural identity may contribute to substance use. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.