The influence of family relationships on marijuana use among a sample of inner city youths

Abstract

This study of the etiology of drug use explores the influence of family relationship variables (parental support) on selfidentification, and alcohol and marijuana use of 258 inner-city, male adolescents. A latent variable structural model of the effect of parental support on alcohol and drug use, mediated by self-identification, was estimated using a maximum likelihood solution. Results support the adequacy of the model. Perceived family support and self-identification were significantly related to reported alcohol and marijuana use. In addition, alcohol consumption functions as a mediator variable and affects the relationship for both perceived family support and selfidentification with marijuana use. Ethnic background, Black versus Puerto Rican, did not have a direct effect on these variables. Finally, the model suggests a direct relationship between youths 1 use of alcohol and marijuana. It was hypothesized that this relationship is a product of environmental and socio-cultural contexts wherein a variety of illicit drug-taking is available, encouraged, and rewarded. The discussion examines the implications of the results for the influence of perceived family suppost and the quality of youth-family relationships for researchers. The role of alcohol use as a mediating variable is also discussed.We are grateful for the assistance given to us by the principal, teachers and parents of the junior high school who must remain anonymous. The reactions of many youngsters to earlier versions of the survey instruments were valuable to our research effort. The support and encouragement of the New York State Office of Drug Abuse Services, and especially Douglas S. Lipton,

Influence of Family and Peer Group on the Use of Drugs by Adolescents

“…In keeping with all previous research in this field (Krohn, 1974;Dembo et al, 1979Dembo et al, , 1980Dembo et al, , 1985Brook et al, 1982Brook et al, , 1983Byram y Fly, 1984;Santos and Simpson, 1984;Napier et al, 1982Napier et al, , 1983Napier et al, , 1984Goe et al, 1985;Dishion and Loeber, 1985), the data of the present study c o n f m the utility of the variable "drug consumption by peers" for understanding adolescent drug use. In all the analyses performed, this variable proved to be critical for differentiating between users and nonusers.…”

“…Dembo et al (1985) and Goe et al (1985), among others, have urged the need to take this factor into account in research on drug use, since it is a clear reflection of the adolescent's involvement in the "drug consuming subculture." Dembo et al (1985) and Goe et al (1985), among others, have urged the need to take this factor into account in research on drug use, since it is a clear reflection of the adolescent's involvement in the "drug consuming subculture."…”

Family protective factors among urban African American youth

“…Among high-risk and Afncan American adolescents, family support has been associated with high scholastic self-concept, low levels of antisocial behavior, and low use of alcohol and drugs (Cauce, Felner, & Primavera, 1982;Dembo et a]., 1985;Stevens, 1984;Van Hasselt et al, 1993). In this study, extended family support was examined as a unique contributor to children's adjustment as well as a potential moderator of family stressors.…”

A Family Based Model of Hispanic Adolescent Substance Use

“…The control families were viewed as cooperative, optimistic, and trusting [22]. Dembo et al, used structural equations modeling to examine the contribution of family support and self-identification on substance use in a sample of Puerto Rican and African American youth [30]. Family support influenced alcohol and marijuana use directly and indirectly through self-identification.…”