The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72290

Dorothy C. Browne, DrPH, Fernando Wagner, ScD, and Patricia Ann Clubb, PhD. Drug Abuse Research Program, Morgan State University, 2201 Argonne Drive, Montebello D-103, Baltimore, MD 21218, 443-885-4533, DrDotBrowne@aol.com

^{Few studies have examined the linkage between perceived discrimination and substance use behaviors; however, these studies have provided evidence for a positive association between perceived discrimination and smoking and alcohol behaviors (Williams, Neighbors & Jackson, 2003). The goal of this paper is to address whether perceived discrimination is related to recent use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use among African-American adolescents. Analyses are based on a sample of 1,066 African-American students enrolled in grades 7 to 10 who completed a questionnaire in the spring of 1996. Participants reported the frequency with which they experienced 11 types of discriminatory incidents such as being ²talked down to² and being ignored by clerks and cashiers due to race. Respondents were classified into groups reporting none (n = 305, 29%), one to four (n = 406, 38%), or five or more (n = 347, 33%) of the 11 incidents ²sometimes² or ²always.² Independent chi-square analyses provided evidence for a relationship between experiences of discriminatory incidents and drinking in the past month [c2(2, N = 1045) = 25.58, p < .0001], smoking in the past month [c2(2, N = 1046) = 25.51, p < .0001] and use of marijuana in the past year [c2(2, N = 1046) = 24.38, p < .0001]. Additional multivariate logistic regression analyses will explore the extent to which this relationship exists when controlling for other factors related to substance using, including demographic, individual, family, and peer factors.}

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to discuss the impact of perceived discrimination on substance use behaviors by minority adolescents. In addition, participants will be able to apply these findings to prevention efforts designed to reduce risk behaviors among minority youth.

Keywords: Drugs, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.