A Review of the Role of Social Support Systems in the Drug Use Behavior of Hispanics

Abstract

In this article the authors conducted a critical review of ongoing and recently completed drug abuse studies which have examined the importance of social support systems in the drug-using behavior of Hispanics. Published and unpublished preliminary data from these studies are presented and discussed. This critical review of the research literature supports earlier findings that social support systems play an important role in preventing drug abuse among Hispanics. Specifically, this review found that familial factors, peer influences, involvement with religious institutions, and after-school activities have a powerful impact on the drug-using behaviors of Hispanic child, youth and adult drug users. The authors suggest that drug prevention and treatment programs within Hispanic communities will be more successful if they incorporate social support systems into their programs. In conclusion, the authors identify areas in which the role of social support systems in the drug-using behavior of Hispanics need further investigation.

Positive Emotions as a Moderator of the Associations Between Self-Control and Social Support Among Adolescents with Risk Behaviors

“…Previous studies have discussed the contribution of self-control and social support to reducing psychoactive substance use (De La Rose and White 2001;Ford and Blumenstein 2013) and gambling (Cheung 2012;Hardoon et al 2004). However, the current findings suggest that these positive resources and skills do not operate alone and that positive emotions-in conjunction with particular environmental and personality resources-can contribute significantly to reductions in gambling and water-pipe-smoking.…”

Social Support and Social Undermining as Correlates for Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Disorders in American Indian Women Presenting for Primary Care at an Indian Health Service Hospital

“…Social support also is related inversely to depression in populations such as middle-aged Finnish women (Aro et al, 2001), women in early motherhood (Baker & Taylor, 1997;Brugha, Sharp, & Cooper, 1998), urban women in Zimbabwe (Broadhead, Abas, & Khumalo Sakutukwa, 2001), single mothers (Cairney et al, 2003), and pregnant minority women (Rudnicki et al, 2001). Finally, social support is related inversely to alcohol and substance use in a variety of populations including university students (Allgower et al, 2001;Gardner, Wilsnack, & Slotnick, 1983), patients from an outpatient treatment center (Beattie & Longabaugh, 1999), Hispanics (De La Rosa & White, 2001;Frauenglass & Routh, 1997), and adult men and women (Green, Freeborn, & Polen, 2001).…”

Contextual Determinants of Drug Use Risk Behavior: a Theoretic Framework

“…55,56 For example, social support systems are important mechanisms for the prevention of substance use behavior in many racial/ethnic groups. 55 Conversely, participation in drug-using social networks has been shown to be a determinant of drug use behavior.…”

“…55,56 For example, social support systems are important mechanisms for the prevention of substance use behavior in many racial/ethnic groups. 55 Conversely, participation in drug-using social networks has been shown to be a determinant of drug use behavior. 56 Other social factors may affect drug use (e.g., discrimination) and mediate the relation between contextual determinants and risk behavior; however, there have been few studies of these factors in the context of drug use.…”