NCJ Number
174417
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: 1997 Pages: 91-110
Date Published
1997
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Predictors of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use were investigated in a sample of 234 homeless adolescents and preadolescents who lived in shelters for homeless families in New York City.
Abstract
Subjects, primarily black and Hispanic, were interviewed as part of a larger study of drug abuse prevention with homeless adolescents. They completed face-to-face structured interviews that elicited information on self-reported drug use and intentions to use drugs in the future, background information, and information on social influence variables and individual characteristics hypothesized to promote drug use. Logistic regression analyses revealed age, academic achievement, social influences (friends and family drug use) and several psychological factors (psychological well-being, assertiveness, and social support) were predictors of experimental drug use and intentions to use drugs. Implications of the findings for effective drug prevention programs for homeless and other high- risk youth are discussed. 36 references and 4 tables