This study investigated the relative contribution of cultural variables, in particular Africentric values and racial identity, to the prediction of drug use, drug knowledge, and drug attitudes in conjunction with individual, peer, and family domain variables. Data collected from 195 African American youth were used in this study. The results indicate that Africentric values were a significant, yet modest predictor of drug knowledge accounting for approximately 4% of the variance. Similarly, racial identity was a significant predictor of drug use and of drug attitudes accounting for approximately 2% and 8% of the variance, respectively. Also, gender, an individual domain variable, was a significant predictor of drug use, attitudes, and knowledge. Males reported more drug use, had attitudes more tolerant of drugs, and had less drug knowledge than females.

Objective. A feasibility study for a trial of strategies for the prevention of atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was stopped because of inadequate recruitment. There is little understanding of the factors influencing patients' decisions about participation in prevention trials. Our goal was to determine factors that patients with SLE consider in deciding about participating in prevention trials, to uncover concerns about SLE trials, and to investigate how study design and purpose affect participation decisions. Methods. We conducted focus groups with trial participants (n ‫؍‬ 13), trial nonparticipants (n ‫؍‬ 8), and a group of patients with diabetes (n ‫؍‬ 9). We conducted telephone interviews with SLE patients who refused participation in the trial and the focus groups (n ‫؍‬ 10). A trained facilitator elicited factors influencing participation decisions. Transcripts were coded and grouped into themes using grounded theory. Results. Demographic characteristics of the groups were similar. Seven factors emerged as important in decision making: current health status, study design, physician involvement, personal benefit, altruism, time, and incentives. These factors were considered by individuals who elected to participate and those who did not, but weighed differently. Among the trial participants, good health status, encouragement from one's physician, and desires to learn and to contribute stimulated participation. Reasons for nonparticipation included current health status, medication and randomization concerns, and personal factors. Conclusion. We observed that similar factors were weighed differently by participants and nonparticipants. Our results suggest that strategies such as health education, enlistment of personal physicians, and limitation of time requirements may enhance recruitment of patients with SLE into clinical prevention trials.

Spirituality and its relationship to mental health outcomes (self-concept and coping style), familial attitudes (family climate and attitudes toward parenting), and satisfaction with social support was examined among African American women in recovery from substance abuse. Using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale as a measure of spirituality, the median split method was used to divide a sample of 146 African American women in recovery from substance abuse into high and low spirituality groups. It was found that women in the high spirituality group expressed a more positive self-concept, active coping style, perceptions of family climate, and attitudes toward parenting than women in the low spirituality group. In addition, the high spirituality group expressed greater satisfaction with their

Objective: To identify the body of knowledge exploring the subject of ADHD and African-Americans.Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted through the Medline, Psychlit and Psychlnfo databases. Results: In contrast to thousands of articles on ADHD, only 16 articles were identified that dealt with ADHD in African-American youth. Additionally, only a handful of these articles had ethnicity as the primary focus of research. Studies that examined ADHD among African-Americans in a school context showed that race may affect how teachers diagnose hyperactivity . Treatment studies suggested that African-Americans may respond similarly to the same ADHD medications as do Caucasians. Studies evaluating ADHD assessment tools were so sparse that they were largely inconclusive. Discussion: The paucity of studies on the subject of ADHD and African-Americans suggests the urgent need for more research to be done in this area. Such studies should be based on culturally sensitive designs.