Moderating effects of perceived social benefits on inhalant initiation among American Indian and White youth.

Abstract

This study examined whether perceived social benefits moderated the relationship between social influence variables (school attachment, peer inhalant use, perceived family caring, parental monitoring) and stage of inhalant initiation (Study 1), and lifetime inhalant use (Study 2). Participants were 7th–12th grade students attending schools on or near American Indian reservations with comparisons made between American Indian and White students. A total of 3498 American Indian and 1596 White students were surveyed. Differences in mean levels of social influence variables were found across ethnicity and stage of inhalant initiation and lifetime inhalant use. SEM models were evaluated to examine variable relationships for the two studies. For Study 1, social influence variables did not clearly differentiate early versus later inhalant initiators, and perceived social benefits failed to serve as a moderator. More differences were observed between users and non-users across measures of social influence (Study 2). Perceived social benefits generally did not moderate the relationships with two exceptions. Low perceived social benefits provided greater protection against the influence of peers on lifetime inhalant use among White students, while high perceived social benefits increased risk of peer influence among American Indian students.

A comparison of the substance use related risk and protective factor profiles for American Indian and White American youth: a mixed studies review

“…American Indian youth were more likely to perceive cigarettes as harmful ( 36 ) and were more likely to rate alcoholism as an illness/disease ( 37 ). American Indian youth were also less likely to get substances from parents ( 25 ) and home ( 32 ); and reported high levels of family caring ( 38 ). White American youth perceived greater disapproval from adults in the neighborhood for substance use ( 27 ) and self-distraction ( 28 ).…”

“…Similarities for risk factors included, alcohol use ( 39 ), stressful life events ( 28 , 40 ) and stress exposure ( 40 ); greater approval for substances ( 36 ), perceptions favorable to substance use ( 23 , 33 , 35 , 41 ); more perceived adult disapproval for substance use ( 24 ), outcome expectancies ( 28 , 39 ); having a psychiatric diagnosis ( 39 ); and behavioral disengagement ( 28 ). Being in a romantic relationship ( 40 ), having friends who used inhalants ( 38 ), family member methamphetamine use ( 40 ) and family conflict ( 34 ) were also identified as similar risk factors for both ethnicities. Living in a county with more single-parent households and living in counties with higher median incomes were similar risk factors for both ethnicities at the community level ( 32 ).…”

“…Both ethnicities attributed drinking primarily to the individual and external factors (distressing events, environment) as related influences on problem drinking ( 37 ). Peer encouragement ( 35 ), parental sanctions ( 34 ), family social support ( 40 ), students who had never tried inhalants reported higher levels of family caring and parental monitoring ( 38 ), higher parental median income ( 32 ), and living with both parents ( 38 ) were also identified as similar protective factors for both ethnicities. Students (both American Indian and White American) who never tried inhalants reported higher levels of school attachment ( 30 ).…”