The Influence of Africentric Values, Self-Esteem, and Black Identity on Drug Attitudes among African American Fifth Graders: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The relevance of Africentric values and beliefs has been articulated by a number of African American scholars. Moreover, Africentric frameworks have been used in the design and implementation of substance abuse prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Africentric values along with self-esteem and Black identity on drug attitudes amongfifth graders. Measures of Africentric values, self-esteem, and Black identity were obtained from 54 African Americanfifth graders. A regression analysis indicated that Africentric values significantly explained drug attitudes. Self-esteem andiBlack identity were not significant contributors to explaining drug attitudes. Self-esteem and Black identity were significantly related to each other; self-esteem was negatively correlated with Africentric values. The findings of the study are discussed, including the implications for the inclusion of Africentric values when looking at drug attitudes and behaviors.

Racial Discrimination and Racial Identity as Risk or Protective Factors for Violent Behaviors in African American Young Adults

“…Helms (1990) noted that racial identity "is a sense of group or collective identity based on one's perception that he/she shares a common racial heritage with a particular racial group" (p. 3). A growing body of evidence demonstrates the importance of a salient racial identity as a psychosocial protector in both mental health functioning and health risk behaviors such as substance use (Belgrave et al, 1994;Brook, Balka, Brook, Win, & Gursen, 1998;Caldwell, Zimmerman, Bernat, Sellers, & Notaro, 2002; Klonoff & Landrine, 1999;Scheier, Botvin, Diaz, & Ifill-Williams, 1997;Sellers, Caldwell, Schmeelk-Cone, & Zimmerman, 2003). Although research in this area is still emerging, it is generally accepted that a less salient racial identity is associated with poorer outcomes, whereas a strong and positive group affiliation is related to more positive outcomes.…”

The influence of an Africentric worldview and demographic variables on drug knowledge, attitudes, and use among African American youth

“…An Africentric worldview is expected to foster attitudes and behaviors that are intolerable of drug use and abuse (Belgrave et al, 1994;Long, 1992;Nobles & Goddard, 1992). According to Nobles and Goddard (1992), an African model of alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention for African American families should be used to create and guide programs, activities, and practices that will enable African American families to resist drug use and manage the drug problems facing the African American community.…”

“…Gary and Berry (1984) found that church involvement was associated with attitudes intolerant of drugs. Belgrave et al (1994) conducted a preliminary study which examined the influence of Africentric values, self-esteem, and Black identity on drug attitudes among African American fifth graders. Participants included 54 African American fifth graders attending an urban elementary school.…”

“…The current study is designed to expand upon the previous findings by Belgrave et al (1994) and to address some of the methodological limitations of that study. The sample size is larger and includes fourth, as well as fifth graders.…”

Attending to systemic racism : advancing public health's approach to youth violence prevention.

“…There is growing evidence that salient racial identity is a psychosocial protector in mental health functioning and health risk behaviors (Belgrave et al, 1994;Brook, Balka, Brook, Win, & Gursen, 1998;Caldwell, Zimmerman, Bernat, Sellers, & Notaro, 2002;Klonoff & Landrine, 1999;Scheier, Botvin, Diaz, & Ifill-Williams, 1997;Sellers, Caldwell, Schmellk-Cone, & Zimmerman, 2003). Numerous researchers have argued that racial identity is a multidimensional construct (Gonzales & Cauce, 1995;Phinney, 1992;Romero & Roberts, 1998;Rotheram-Borus, Lightfoot, Moraes, Dopkins, & LaCour, 1998;Sanders-Thompson, 1994;Sellers, Smith, Shelton, Rowley, & Chavous, 1998;Smith, Walker, Fields, Brookins, & Seay, 1999;Stevenson, 1994).…”