Culture and environment as predictors of alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms in American Indian youths

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.01.008

Addictive Behaviors

Volume 32, Issue 10, October 2007, Pages 2253-2259

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.01.008 Get rights and content

Abstract

This study utilizes Bronfenbrenner's ecological model (1979) to examine multiple and interactive environmental (familial, social, and cultural) predictors of adolescent alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms. A stratified random sample of 401 American Indian youths was interviewed in 2001. The findings showed that family members’ substance problems, peer misbehaviors, and participation in generic cultural activities positively predicted adolescent alcohol symptoms. Conversely, cultural pride/spirituality predicted fewer alcohol symptoms, and, importantly, religious affiliation moderated the effects of problematic peers and family members on adolescent alcohol symptoms. The findings suggest further study of intervention and prevention efforts regarding the benefits from consideration of the complex relationships among multiple environmental variables.

Introduction

Compared with adolescents of other American ethnic groups, American Indians consume more alcohol and suffer more severe health problems (including chronic liver disease and cirrhosis death) and social consequences (including sexually transmitted diseases) (Beauvais, 1998, USDHHS, 2003). Prior research indicates that poor familial and social environments (mainly, addicted family members and misbehaving peers) are positively related to adolescent substance involvement (USDHHS, 2001, Yu et al., 2005). On the other hand, cultural environment may protect against adolescent substance problems (Herman-Stahl, Spencer, & Duncan, 2003).

Using Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological approach indicating that the developing person is embedded in a variety of environmental contexts that interact with one another, this study examines multiple and interactive environmental (familial, social, and cultural) predictors of adolescent alcohol problems. In particular, we test the moderating effects of cultural environments on the relationships between poor familial and social environments, and alcohol problems in a sample of American Indian youths. There are few studies on the integration of cultural variables associated with American Indian adolescent alcohol problems. This paper helps provide information for specific intervention and prevention plans for adolescents with such problems.

Section snippets

Subjects

As part of a NIDA-funded study designed to research the mental health and substance abuse service needs of American Indian youths, a sample of 401 youths (205 reservation and 196 urban youths) was interviewed in person through a two-stage method in 2001. Full details of sampling and interview procedures were published elsewhere (Stiffman et al., 2003, Yu et al., 2005). Family members of urban youths had significantly higher socioeconomic status ( p < .0001). Urban youths were significantly older

Extent of alcohol use

Reservation youths initiated alcohol use significantly earlier by about 11 months on average (13.4[2.6] vs. 14.3[2.1], t = 2.45, df = 107, p = .0160). During the lifetime period of drinking the most, one fifth (20%) of the youth drank alcohol almost every week; over one eighth (12%) drank alcohol about half the weeks in a year; one fifth (22%) drank alcohol in at least one week a month; and approximately half (44%) drank alcohol less than one week a month. Rates for drinking in the past 12 months

Discussion

The study found that reservation youths had significantly higher rates of alcohol abuse/dependence diagnoses and symptoms, and initiated alcohol use significantly earlier than urban youths. The multivariate analyses revealed that, after controlling for adolescent demographics (i.e., location, age, and socioeconomics), family members with addiction problems and misbehaving peers positively predicted adolescent alcohol symptoms. Largely, the results are parallel to research on non-Indian

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^☆: This study is supported by NIMH K02 MH01797-01A1, NIDA R24DA13572-0, and R01 DA13227-01. The authors are grateful to Dr. Ed. Spitznagel for statistical guidance.

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Short communicationCulture and environment as predictors of alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms in American Indian youths☆

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Subjects

Extent of alcohol use

Discussion

Social Science & Medicine

Addictive Behaviors

American Indians and alcohol

Alcohol Health and Research World

The ecology of human development

The implications of cultural orientation for substance use among American Indians

American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research

Four factor index of social status

Short communication
Culture and environment as predictors of alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms in American Indian youths☆