Self-concept and drug involvement among urban junior high school youths

Relationships between self-concept and drug involvement were examined through a survey given to 1,100 urban junior high school youths from mixed socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The students were presented with 14 descriptions of "types" of youth, which they rated in terms of similarity to themselves. Factor analyses produced three "self-image" factors each for both males and females. "Gang" and "drug culture" self-images were positively associated with self-reported drug use (r's for .35 to .46), while an "educational" self-image was negatively associated with drug involvement (r's from -.20 to -.30). Implications for further research and for drug abuse prevention planning are discussed.