Why now? Examining antecedents for substance use initiation among African American adolescents.

Authors

Tamika Zapolski, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
Tianyi Yu, University of Georgia
Gene Brody, University of Georgia
Devin Banks, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
Allen Barton, University of Georgia

Document Type

Article

Keywords

adolescence, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, initiation, African Americans

Abstract

Current adolescent substance use risk models have inadequately predicted use for African Americans, with limited knowledge on differential predictability as a function of developmental period. Among a sample of 500 African American youth (ages 11–21), four risk indices (i.e., social, attitudinal, intrapersonal, and racial discrimination) were examined in the prediction of alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette initiation during early (ages 11–13), mid (ages 16–18) and late (ages 19–21) adolescence. Results showed that when developmental periods were combined, racial discrimination was the only index that predicted initiation for all three substances. However, when risk models were stratified based on developmental period, variation was found within and across substance types. Results highlight the importance of racial discrimination in understanding substance use initiation among African American youth and the need for tailored interventions based on developmental stage.

Publication Date

May 2020

Publication Title

Development and Psychopathology

Volume

32

Issue

2

First Page

719

Last Page

734

DOI

10.1017/S0954579419000713

Recommended Citation

Zapolski, Tamika; Yu, Tianyi; Brody, Gene; Banks, Devin; and Barton, Allen, "Why now? Examining antecedents for substance use initiation among African American adolescents." (2020). Psychology Faculty Works. 94.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579419000713
Available at: https://irl.umsl.edu/psychology-faculty/94