Substance use in young indigenous Sami: an ethnocultural and longitudinal perspective

The cross-sectional and prospective influences of ethnocultural factors on substance use were explored among indigenous Sami in northern Norway. Longitudinal data was collected in 1994/95 (school-based survey; N = 675; RR: 85%; late adolescence: 15-19; 54% females) and 1997/98 (combined school-based and postal questionnaire study; N = 360; RR: 57%; young adulthood; 18-22; 62% females). When controlled for sociodemographics, logistic regression analyses indicated that favoring assimilation, residing in assimilated contexts, and having a weaker ethnic identity were associated with more drinking in late adolescence. Prospectively, favoring assimilation in late adolescence predicted the respondents' perception of excessive drinking in young adulthood. In late adolescence, the effect of assimilation on current smoking was moderated by living in an assimilated context and associated with stronger ethnic group identification. Prospectively, favoring assimilation in late adolescence predicted current smoking in young adulthood. Generally, less Sami oriented individuals were more likely to use substances. The implications and limitations of the findings along with recommendations for future research were discussed.