Fifty percent of adolescents have tried an illicit drug and 70% have tried alcohol by the end of high school, with even higher rates among multiracial youth. Ethnic identity is a protective factor against substance use for minority groups. However, little is known about the mechanisms that facilitate its protective effects, and even less is known about this relationship for multiracial youth. The purpose of the present study was to examine the protective effect of ethnic identity on substance use and to determine whether this relationship operated indirectly through self-esteem, a strong predictor of substance use for among adolescent populations. Participants included 468 multiracial youth in grades six through 12 (53% female). The results found that ethnic identity was indeed related to substance use, partially through changes in self-esteem. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding and development of models of risk and protection for an understudied population.

Although students with externalizing behaviors inherently exhibit behaviors that contribute to poor teacher relationships, little research has examined the positive characteristics these students may possess that serve to facilitate positive teacher relationships. This study explores the moderating effects of adaptability, social skills, and study skills on the teacher relationships of students with externalizing behaviors. Participants were a sample of 418 first through fifth graders (63% male). Fifty-four teachers completed the Student–Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS) and Behavioral Assessment System for Children–Teacher Rating Scales for Children (BASC TRS-C) to provide information on student relationships, students’ levels of externalizing behavior, adaptability, social skills, and study skills. The findings suggested that adaptability, social skills, and study skills are important characteristics that contribute to all teacher–student relationships. However, adaptability and social skills contribute more positively to teacher–student relationships for students who exhibit externalizing behaviors. These findings suggest areas for intervention to improve teacher relationships for children with externalizing behaviors.

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