Ethnic differences in family factors related to early drug initiation.

TLDR

The study reviews family predictors of substance use in the general population and compares findings across black, white, and Asian Americans, aiming to examine ethnic differences in these predictors. The authors assessed substance‑use initiation rates among 919 urban 5th‑grade students and conducted separate regressions for black, white, and Asian American youths to evaluate how family factors predict the variety of substances initiated. Results revealed significant ethnic differences in family management, activity involvement, sibling deviance, parental disapproval, and family structure, with regression analyses identifying both unique and shared predictors of substance initiation, underscoring important implications.

Abstract

The literature on family predictors of substance use for the general population is reviewed and compared to findings for three specific ethnic groups: black, white and Asian Americans. Rates of substance use initiation are examined in a sample of 919 urban 5th-grade students. Ethnic differences on measures of family predictors are examined and significant ethnic differences are found on several of these factors. Finally, separate regressions for black, white and Asian American youths of family factors on the variety of substances initiated examine ethnic similarities and differences in predictors. The results demonstrate significant differences by ethnicity in family management practices, involvement in family activity, sibling deviance, parental disapproval of children's drinking and family structure. The regression equations identified unique as well as common predictors of the variety of substances initiated by the end of 5th grade. Implications of the results are discussed.