Primary Socialization Theory: Culture, Ethnicity, and Cultural Identification. The Links between Culture and Substance Use. IV

Abstract

Ethnicity, perceived membership in a cultural group, and cultural identification, the strength of one's affiliation with a group, develop primarily through interactions with the primary socialization sources, the family, the school, and peer clusters. Cultural norms for substance use are also transmitted as part of these interactions. Substance use differs across cultures; in different cultures some forms of substance use are culturally required, others are tolerated, and others are sanctioned. Ethnicity and cultural identification, therefore, should relate to substance use. However, primary socialization theory indicates that simple relationships are not likely to be found for a number of reasons: 1) All members of an ethnic group do not have the same level of cultural identification and may not, therefore, have the same conformance to substance use norms. 2) Primary socialization,sources are embedded in subcultures, and subcultures have norms that may differ from those of the larger ethnic group. 3) The individual may experience and report differing levels of cultural identification and different substance use norms in different social contexts. 4) For an individual, ethnicity and cultural identification may derive from different primary socialization sources than drug use norms.

Demonstration and evaluation of a method for assessing mediated moderation

“…The study focused on mediated effects of enculturation on cigarette use as well as contextual risk factors that were hypothesized to moderate these mediated effects. The goal of Morgan-Lopez et al's study was to conduct a simultaneous test of two complementary theories that account for the influence of enculturation on substance use (Castro, Coe, Gutierres, & Saenz, 1996;Oetting, Donnermeyer, Trimble, & Beauvais, 1998).…”

The Efficacy of a Multicultural Prevention Intervention among Urban American Indian Youth in the Southwest U.S.

“…Theoretically, it has been suggested that the cultural context plays a role in the development of substance using behaviors of indigenous youth populations (Oetting et al 1998;Szapocznik and Coatsworth 1999), although research in this area demonstrates mixed findings (Trimble 1995). Oetting et al (1998) noted that the relationship between culture and drug use is complex, incorporating the influence of both cultural and subcultural norms for drug use.…”

“…Oetting et al (1998) noted that the relationship between culture and drug use is complex, incorporating the influence of both cultural and subcultural norms for drug use. In effect, they state that it is possible for youth to have both high cultural identification and high levels of drug use, because they are influenced by different subcultures, such as the family or peer group.…”

Variation in youthful risks of progression from alcohol and tobacco to marijuana and to hard drugs across generations

“…Peer group homophyly based on race/ethnicity is common, as are subcultural differences across these groups. 41 Blacks and Hispanics have been disproportionately represented at all stages of the criminal justice system for charges of drug-related offenses. Paradoxically, Whites typically have reported the highest rates of substance use.…”

“…It was hypothesized that these differences would result in males being more likely than females to progress at each stage of substance use. 41 Age at first alcohol or tobacco and marijuana use. Several studies indicated that early initiation of substance use is associated with further substance use progression and subsequent problems.…”