Race/ethnicity differences in risk and protective factors for marijuana use among U.S. adolescents

Abstract

Background Little is known about how race and ethnicity influence marijuana-specific risk and protective factors in U.S. adolescents. We examined differences in risk and protective factors of marijuana use (MU) and their associations with MU by race/ethnicity. Methods The present study used data from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A total of 68,263 adolescents (aged 12 to 17 years) were divided into seven subgroups by race/ethnicity (White, Hispanic, Black, Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NH/PI), and mixed race). Marijuana-specific risk and protective factors (RPFs) were examined, including perceived availability of marijuana, adolescents’ perceived risk of MU and perceived disapproval of parents, peers, and close friends. Past-month, past-year, and lifetime MU were used as MU outcomes to examine the associations with RPFs as well as with race/ethnicity. Results Overall, 6.85, 12.67, and 15.52% of the sample reported past-month, past-year, and lifetime MU respectively. Weighted adjusted logistic regression analyses revealed that mixed race adolescents reported the greatest perceived availability of marijuana, whereas Black and Asian adolescents had less access compared to White adolescents. The adolescents’ perception of parental disapproval of MU was the lowest for Native American adolescents and highest for Asian adolescents. Mixed race adolescents experienced lower peer and close friend disapproval of MU while Black and Asian adolescents had higher. The MU risk perception was lower in most groups including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and mixed race adolescents, but not in Asian adolescents. Native American adolescents scored the highest on all MU outcomes, whereas Asian adolescents scored the lowest. Perceived availability of marijuana was associated with higher MU in all MU outcomes. Lower disapproval MU perceptions and lower MU risk perceptions were also associated with greater MU. Conclusion These findings suggest there is considerable heterogeneity of marijuana risk and protective factors and MU across race/ethnicity among U.S. adolescents.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Vaping Cannabidiol Among US Adolescents

“…For instance, Dai estimated that 18.4% of Hispanic middle and high school students reported cannabis vaping in 2018 compared with 14.5% of their non-Hispanic counterparts. The higher prevalence of cannabis vaping and CBD vaping among Hispanic youths compared with White youths may be associated with potential lower harm perception of cannabis use and lower media literacy . Among noncurrent e-cigarette users, this study also identified a higher prevalence of current CBD vaping among gay or lesbian and bisexual students than their heterosexual counterparts.…”

The impact of a parent‐based prevention intervention on Mexican‐descent youths' perceptions of harm associated with drug use: Differential intervention effects for male and female youths

“…In addition to considerations related to cultural issues and youths' sex differences, there is a need to inform drug use prevention interventions according to adolescents' perceptions of harm associated with drug use. This need has been emphasized by epidemiologists and public health researchers, particularly because epidemiological studies clearly indicate that perception of drug use harm is closely associated with youths' likelihood of substance use (M. H. Lee et al, 2021; Parker & Anthony, 2018). However, there is much to be learned about how such perception of risk operates among adolescents.…”

“…With regard to alternatives to increase drug use harm perceptions, empirical studies indicate that parenting practices are particularly effective to influence adolescents' perceptions of harm, while also acting as protective factors for additional problematic behaviors (M. H. Lee et al, 2021; Parker & Anthony, 2018). Of interest, perception of harm can be influenced not only by addressing parent–youth communication but through alternative protective parenting practices such effective monitoring and supervision (Prado et al, 2007).…”

“…The association between parent–youth cultural conflict and increased risk for substance use has been thoroughly documented in empirical studies with Latina/o immigrant populations (Bacio et al, 2015; Prado et al, 2007). For this reason, culturally adapted PT interventions aimed at preventing drug use among Latina/o adolescents should thoroughly address familial cultural factors that constitute both, precursors and risk factors for adolescent substance abuse (Duran & Pérez‐Stable, 2019; M. H. Lee et al, 2021; Marsiglia et al, 2019).…”

Reciprocal links between marijuana use and school adjustment in Black and White rural adolescents

“…Compared to their White counterparts, Black adolescents report that the consequences at school would be more severe if a student were caught smoking (Wallace & Muroff, 2002). Black adolescents also report greater perceived peer disapproval of MU than White adolescents (Lee et al, 2021). If Black youth experience greater social consequences of MU in the school setting (e.g., greater teacher or peer disapproval), MU could have more deleterious effects on school adjustment for Black youth, but the existing research on these associations are limited.…”