Alcohol use by young people from different ethnic groups: consumption, intoxication and negative consequences

Risky behavior among Black Caribbean and Black African adolescents in England: How do they compare?

OBJECTIVES

Black Caribbean and Black African adolescents in England face academic and social challenges that might predisposition them to engaging in more risky behavior. This study explored the growth trajectories of risky behavior among adolescents in England over 3 years (14/15, 15/16, and 16/17 years of age) to determine the extent to which ethnic groups differed.

DESIGN

Data were taken from the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England database (N = 15,770). This database contained eight different ethnic groups. Risky behavior was defined by an 8-item scale that represented three classes of risky behavior. Individual theta scores for risky behavior were calculated for individuals at each time point and modeled over time. Interaction terms between sex, year, ethnicity, and class were also examined.

RESULTS

Findings confirmed previous research that showed ethnic group differences in means. They also demonstrated that there are differences in slopes as well, even after controlling for class. In fact, class appeared to have a reverse effect on the risky behavior of black adolescents. Further, Black adolescent groups were not engaging in higher levels of risky behavior as compared to white adolescents (the dominant population). In actuality, Mixed adolescents engaged in the highest levels of risky behavior which was a notable finding given that the Mixed group has recently began to receive a more focused attention by scholars and the government of England.

CONCLUSION

It is important that social workers and policy-makers recognize ethnicity in making general preventative decisions for adolescents. Second, class does not have a common effect on adolescent problem behaviors as often believed. Finally, black adolescents' communities might contain important protective factors that ought to be extensively explored. Conversely, Mixed adolescents' communities might contain more risk factors that ought to be addressed.

Substance use and its relationship to family functioning and self-image in adolescents

This study examined associations between substance use, family functioning, and self-image among four ethnic adolescent groups. Three thousand three hundred and fifteen 8th and 9th grade students were recruited from 10 schools in Los Angeles County. Participants completed a paper-and-pencil survey regarding their alcohol and marijuana use, along with their perceived family functioning and self-image and other demographic variables. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to examine associations. Results indicated that both family functioning and self-image were significantly associated with alcohol and marijuana use. Those who scored lower on family functioning and self-image were at increased risk for substance use. Furthermore, students who scored low in both family functioning and self-image were about twice as likely to report using alcohol.

Alcohol use and sexual risk behavior among college students: understanding gender and ethnic differences

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the current study was to assess the role of gender and ethnicity in the relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior.

METHOD

Sexually active college students (n = 425) reported on alcohol expectancies, perceived risk of HIV, and drinking and sexual behavior in the context of a larger health behavior survey.

RESULTS

Approximately one-third of participants reported binge drinking 3 or more times in the past two weeks. African-American women reported less drinking and less positive alcohol expectancies than other women. Older men engaged more often than younger men in binge drinking and reported more sexual partners in the past year. Younger age and greater perceived risk for HIV were positively associated with condom use for both women and men.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings suggest that alcohol abuse and HIV prevention efforts among young adults need to consider gender, ethnicity, and age.

Illicit and traditional drug use among ethnic minority adolescents in East London

OBJECTIVES

To explore ethnic variations in the use of illicit and traditional drugs, and the association of indicators of acculturation with drug use among an ethnically diverse representative sample of early adolescents in East London.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

METHODS

Confidential questionnaires were used to assess 2789 male and female pupils in years 7 and 9, aged 11-14 years old, from a representative sample of 28 secondary schools in East London.

RESULTS

In total, 10.8% reported having ever tried illicit drugs and 7.3% reported ever using cannabis. Compared with white British adolescents, cannabis use in the previous month was significantly higher amongst black Caribbean adolescents. Lifetime cannabis use was significantly higher amongst black Caribbean and mixed ethnicity young people, but was lower amongst Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani adolescents. Living in UK for 5 years or less markedly reduced the risk of lifetime and recent cannabis use when controlled for ethnicity and social class. Glue or solvent use was reported in 3.2% of adolescents, with use significantly higher amongst Bangladeshi young people. Lifetime paan use was reported by 14.1% of the sample, and was almost completely confined to South Asian or mixed ethnicities.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnic differences in illicit drug use were found in the study population, and significant differences were found between ethnic groups often identified as 'black.' Further research is needed in understanding cultural-specific risk and protective factors in different ethnic groups, and the importance of cultural identity in mediating health risk behaviors. The high use of paan and glue/gas/solvents by Bangladeshi young people poses an unappreciated public health problem that may require targeted interventions.