ABSTRACT
Three sets of variables-Lifestyle, Social Support/Stress, and Well Being-were used to predict frequency of alcohol, marijuana, and hard drug use among urban African-American male adolescents. A sample of 150 adolescents, most of whom had dropped out of school, participated in an initial 90-minute interview and a follow-up interview six months later. The prevalence rates for illicit substance use among this sample of Black males were higher than the National average. Using a hierarchical regression approach, different psychosocial variables were found to predict use of different substances. Lifestyle was a significant predictor of marijuana and hard drug use at both measurement points, and a predictor of alcohol use at one of two measurement points. Support/Stress explained significant variance in alcohol use at both measurement points, and in marijuana use at one of two measurement points. Among individual predictor variables, in cross-sectional analyses (with all predictor variables entered) independent variance in substance use was explained by in-school status (alcohol and marijuana use), spirituality (marijuana and hard drug use), and life event stress (marijuana use). In longitudinal analyses with Time One substance use controlled, Time Two in-school status and life event stress each explained significant 80variance in alcohol use, while Time Two parent support was related to marijuana use. Finally, in prospective analyses with Time One substance use controlled, low self-esteem at Time One predicted to increased marijuana use six months later. Suggestions for future research and implications for preventive intervention are discussed.
