Gender Differences in Drug Offers of Rural Hawaiian Youths: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Abstract

This study examined the gender differences in drug-offer situations of Native Hawaiian youths in rural communities. Youths from seven middle or intermediate schools (N 194) on the Big Island of Hawai'i completed a survey that focused on the drug offers they had received. Multivariate and bivariate analyses indicated that the girls received significantly more drug offers than did the boys in the sample and found it more difficult to refuse drugs in such situations. Qualitative data gathered from communities in the survey's sampling frame elucidated the quantitative findings. Limitations of the study and implications for prevention practice are discussed.Keywords ethnic issues; family relationships; gender; peers and friends; substance use Research has indicated that drug and alcohol use is a significant problem for Native Hawaiian youths. Compared with their non-Hawaiian counterparts, Native Hawaiian youths have higher rates of use of gateway drugs and report the highest need for drug and alcohol treatment (Lai & Saka, 2005;Wong, Klingle, & Price, 2004). Rates of drug use are particularly high in rural communities in Hawai'i and, unfortunately, these areas have the fewest available options for intervention or treatment (Rehuher, Hiramatsu, & Helm, 2008). Although more is known about the epidemiology of drug and alcohol use by Hawaiian youths, little is known about the etiology of drug use for these youths, including the gender differences in drug offers or use.The study presented here examined the gender-specific patterns of drug offers among Native Hawaiian youths residing in rural communities. Helm, Giroux, Edwards, & Kulis, 2010), which examined the ecological and cultural context of drug offers for Hawaiian youths in rural communities. Specifically, the study investigated the frequency of exposure to drug offers from peers and family members and the perceived difficulty in refusing drugs from these individuals. Data from focus groups that were used to develop the survey items was reanalyzed to elucidate the quantitative findings. Finally, the study explored how the findings contribute to the understanding of gender-and culturespecific correlates to drug offers for rural Hawaiian youths and the implications of these findings for prevention and intervention practices with these youths. Review of the Literature Gender Differences in Drug Use of Indigenous YouthsThe findings of research on the gender differences in drug use among indigenous youths (e.g., American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians) have been mixed. (2006) found that Native Hawaiian girls had significantly higher rates of alcohol and marijuana use than did Native Hawaiian boys. Although there is a developing body of literature that indicates that indigenous girls may be at a higher risk of substance abuse, little is known about the causes of this gender disparity or specific ways to address this issue through prevention or treatment. Gender, Ethnicity, and Drug OffersIt is important to note that there is a lack of research o...

The Social Contexts of Drug Offers and Their Relationship to Drug Use of Rural Hawaiian Youths

“…Although prior research indicated that rural Hawaiian girls are at higher risk for drug offers and report more difficulty in refusing drugs in offer situations (Okamoto, Kulis, et al, 2010), the social context may place rural Hawaiian boys at higher risk for actual drug use based on the present findings. The findings further suggest that the developmental and social context of drug use may be different for Hawaiian boys and girls, similar to research focused on other Native youth populations (e.g., Novins & Mitchell, 1998).…”

“…This study contributes to a developing body of pre-prevention research focused on Native Hawaiian youth and drug use (Edwards et al, 2010; Okamoto, Kulis, et al, 2010; Okamoto, Helm, et al 2010). Collectively, this body of research can inform existing evidence-based drug prevention programs through cultural adaptation efforts; however, the process of adapting existing interventions to unique cultural groups can be complex and difficult (Castro, Barrera, & Holleran-Steiker, 2010).…”

“…Finally, some research has found gender differences in the social context of drug use for Native youth (Dixon Rayle et al, 2006; Okamoto, Kulis, Helm, Edwards, & Giroux, 2010). These studies found that both American Indian and Native Hawaiian girls were exposed significantly more to drug offer situations from various subgroups (e.g., cousins, peers, and adult family members), compared with their male counterparts.…”

An Evaluation of the Ho‘ouna Pono Curriculum: A Pilot Study of Culturally Grounded Substance Abuse Prevention for Rural Hawaiian Youth

“…Prior research indicated that Hawaiian girls were exposed more frequently to offers to use drugs and/or alcohol, and found it more difficult to refuse these offers, compared to their male counterparts. 46 Amid these strong situational demands to use drugs and alcohol, the present findings suggest that the curriculum may promote positive interpersonal relationships for Hawaiian girls. More specifically, the focus on non-confrontational resistance skills within the curriculum may provide a means by which rural Hawaiian girls can maintain relational harmony while achieving the goal of drug refusal.…”

The Development of Videos in Culturally Grounded Drug Prevention for Rural Native Hawaiian Youth

“…Based on the focus group findings, 62 discrete drug-related problem situations were developed, and were quantitatively validated in multiple studies (Okamoto, Helm, Giroux, Edwards, & Kulis, 2010; Okamoto, Kulis, Helm, Edwards, & Giroux, 2010; Okamoto, Kulis, Helm, Edwards, & Giroux, in press). The scripts developed, adapted, and validated in the present study were based on seven of the most frequently experienced and challenging problem situations experienced by rural Hawaiian youth, which have been outlined in Table 1.…”