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School Context and American Indian Substance Use
David Eitle1, Maggie Thorsen1, Tamela McNulty Eitle2
1Montana State University, Department of Sociology & Anthropology. Wilson 2-130, P.O. Box 172380, Bozeman, MT 59717. margaret.thorsen@montana.edu.
The Social Science Journal
|December 12, 2017
Summary
School racial composition impacts American Indian adolescent tobacco and marijuana use differently. This study highlights the need for diverse research on minority substance use beyond common focus groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Sociology of Education
Background:
- Previous research indicates school contextual factors influence adolescent substance use.
- Limited research explores substance use among American Indian adolescents, particularly concerning school environment.
- Existing studies often focus on African American and Hispanic populations, neglecting other minority groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between school racial composition and American Indian adolescent tobacco and marijuana use.
- To examine both individual and school-level factors influencing substance use in this demographic.
- To expand understanding of substance use correlates in racial and ethnic minority youth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a subsample of 523 American Indian students from the restricted-use National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) dataset.
- Analyzed data from 99 schools, considering both individual student characteristics and school-level racial composition.
- Employed statistical methods to assess the relationship between school demographics and substance use behaviors.
Main Results:
- School racial composition showed a significant association with American Indian adolescent tobacco use.
- The relationship between school racial composition and marijuana use among American Indian youth differed from that of tobacco use.
- Findings underscore the nuanced impact of school environment on substance use patterns within minority populations.
Conclusions:
- School racial composition is a relevant factor in understanding tobacco and marijuana use among American Indian adolescents.
- The specific influence of school demographics varies by substance, indicating distinct risk or protective pathways.
- Future research should broaden its scope to include diverse racial and ethnic minority groups when examining adolescent substance use.
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