NCJ Number
221952
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 143-153
Date Published
2007
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined regular tobacco use among American-Indian and Alaska-Native adolescents in relationship to five protective factors: peer networks supportive of not using drugs, college aspirations, team sports, playing music, and volunteerism.
Abstract
The study found that for these native groups of adolescents, youth who did not use tobacco regularly were more likely to have college aspirations, sports involvement, and participation in musical activities. Having college aspirations was the most robust protective factor against regular tobacco use. Unexpectedly, associating with peers who supported not using drugs did not protect native youth from regular tobacco use. Significantly more girls than boys described themselves as regular tobacco users, with girls composing 68 percent of the youth who reported using tobacco daily in the past month. This finding suggests the need for culturally relevant education and early intervention programs that target females. Participants consisted of 112 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 years old. Eighty-one percent of the adolescents reported identifying with 1 or more Indian tribes, with over 40 tribes represented. Fifty-three percent were female. During the baseline assessment, youth were interviewed with the Comprehensive Adolescent Severity Inventory, which assessed predictors and associated symptoms for alcohol and drug use across multiple domains. Protective factors scales were assessed at baseline. The dependent variable was regular tobacco use, defined as using tobacco three or more times a week or two smoking binges a week. Regular tobacco use was measured against the five independent variables. 2 tables and 34 references