Adolescent substance use has become a serious concern nationwide. Although there are many ways of viewing adolescent substance use, family influence has been established as one of the strongest sources of risk and protection. A review of the literature indicated relevant theories for understanding adolescent substance use and specific family-based variables influencing adolescent substance use. In general, there seems to be a relationship between adolescent substance use and family-based risk and protective factors. Relevant theories identified in the literature review include family systems theory, social cognitive theory, social control theory, and strain theory. Specific family-based risk and protective factors include family relationships such as with siblings and parents and family characteristics such as ethnicity and religious backgrounds. Future implications for research and prevention/intervention in relation to family-based risk and protective factors are discussed.

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Spirituality is often ignored as a central component of wellness.According to Pacific cultural beliefs, spiritual harmony is necessary for wellness to emerge and is particularly salient for Pacific elders who are intergenerational connectors between the past, present, and future. Using principles of grounded theory for data collection and analysis of in-depth interviews with 10 Samoan and 10 Tongan elders in Hawai'i, two major themes emerged: meanings and expressions of spirituality and interdependence of culture, spirituality, and wellness. From a Pacific perspective, spirituality is central, and wellness does not exist without balance of the spirit, body, mind, and environment.Strong connections with cultural beliefs, values, and practices have been a sustaining factor for the bio-psycho-social-spiritual wellness of Pacific peoples around the world. Spirituality is a core component of Pacific culture and is integrated into and transmitted through traditional cultural protocols, ceremonies, and rituals. The elders of Pacific families and communities have the inherent responsibility to preserve and maintain traditional cultural values,

Pacific indigenous social work has developed across borders reflecting the diaspora of Pacific peoples outside their homelands. It is proposed that the ‘next wave’ of Pacific social work be centred in Pacific homelands to invigorate new approaches that better address well-being for transnational Pacific peoples. The current status of Pacific social work education, professionalization and theory is discussed. It is argued that social justice, locally-led development and cultural preservation will be better realized with an expansion of Pacific social work across borders. The article reflects on decolonization, universalism–relativism, nature of social work, resourcing and collaborations for Pacific social work.

This article is part of a lifelong commitment to bring the experiences of women of color to the forefront of academic discussion. It is a reflection on the struggles, sustaining forces, and legacy passed on by women of color, who are social work educators to future generations of women. Framed by feminist theory and the theory of intersectionality, the narratives of 16 women of color are points of reflection. The findings of their narratives affirm multiple barriers and challenges, sustaining forces, and the legacy passed on by these pioneers to future generations. Implications for policy, practice, and research are also discussed.Keywords feminist theory, social work educators, theory of intersectionality, women of color As Billingsley (1968, p. 113) said, ''And to deny the history of a people is to deny their humanity.'' The history of women of color in the academy is a significant contribution to humanity that has been undervalued, unrecognized, and often denied. The plea to recognize this history as legitimate and relevant is reiterated in the diverse experiences of women of color in social work education. According to Vakalahi, Starks, and Ortiz Hendricks (2007), women of color in social work education possess unique gender and racial/ethnic-based qualities and competencies that, when garnered and embraced, have humanized the academy. Unfortunately, institutions often suppress or ignore women of color and their unique qualities and competencies. Even with progress in obtaining rights and opportunities for women, as well as entering a new century, gender and race/ethnicity remain enormous barriers to the advancement of women of color in academia.Women of color in social work education is a recent phenomenon but with much breadth and depth. This phenomenon is grounded in social justice and a commitment to equality for women from diverse walks of life. Although the literature does not truly reflect the richness of the experiences of