Risk and Protective Factors for Drug Use Among Rural American Youth

Abstract

This paper examines the links between various personal and social risk factors and drug use among youth living in rural communities. Data were collected through self-report surveys administered to 1,656 7thand 8th-grade students and 1,205 llth-and 12th-grade students in 9 rural communities with populations ranging from 451 to 18,400. Surveys included the American Drug and Alcohol Survey (a drug use survey) and the Prevention Planning Survey, which measures a wide range of characteristics linked to adolescent drug use. Students were assigned to three groups-high, moderate, and no drug use-based on current level and type of drug use, and the prevalence of various risk and protective factors was examined for each group. A discussion of peer cluster theory focuses on the basic premise of adolescent drug use as a group activity that takes place in small peer clusters with group norms for drug use. Variables analyzed include drug use of friends, peer encouragement to use or avoid drugs, school adjustment, school adjustment of peers, participation in formal school or community activities, family stability and support, family sanctions against drugs and communication about drug dangers, family involvement in school activities, depression, low self-esteem, anger, need for excitement and risk taking, delinquency, violent behavior, and victimization. (Contains 102 references and 14 figures.) (SV) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.

Contextual Influences of Substance Abuse Problems among School Children

“…As can be expected, these friends encourage each other to engage in this behaviour (Oetting et al 1992). Youngsters who are part of the peer cluster decide, together, on the rules for the group such as what to wear, types of hair styles, how they will talk and behave and whether or not to abuse illegal substances.…”

“…Added to this is the existence of a strong social influence that encourages peer conformance to the cluster's norms. Note that the youngster inside the cluster does not feel under pressure to conform, since he or she does not perceive that anyone is suggesting or forcing them to conform (Oetting et al, 1992). Oetting et al (1992) argues that a youngster's character may be such that it creates and worsens his or her problems simply because it interferes with the bonding process with his or her parents.…”

“…Note that the youngster inside the cluster does not feel under pressure to conform, since he or she does not perceive that anyone is suggesting or forcing them to conform (Oetting et al, 1992). Oetting et al (1992) argues that a youngster's character may be such that it creates and worsens his or her problems simply because it interferes with the bonding process with his or her parents. The same sort of character will also prevent him or her from adjusting to school and may also increase the probability of his or her bonding with deviant peers.…”

“…Peer Cluster theory also focuses on the importance of the psychological and social characteristics underlying substance abuse. According to Oetting et al (1992), some of the following characteristics may drive youngsters into forming peer clusters, whether these clusters are good or bad: good or poor school adjustment, family support or conflict, violence, taking a gun to school, scaring someone with a weapon, hurting someone with a weapon, victimisation (e.g. being beaten up by a non-family member), being robbed, being hurt with a weapon, being raped or sexually assaulted, getting drunk, substance abuse and depression.…”

“…According to Oetting, Edwards, Kelly and Beauvais (1992), Peer Cluster theory illustrates the strong relationship between substance abuse and peer influence. The basic understanding is that substance abuse occurs in a social setting among peers.…”