The association of Parental Monitoring and Parental Communication with Sexual and Substance Use Risk Behaviors among Native American Youth

Abstract Background: Strong parental monitoring is thought to protect adolescents from engaging in health risk behaviors. However, differing levels of economic development and regulatory systems suggest that findings from Western countries may not generalize to Southeast Asia. This study analyzed the relationship between parental monitoring and health risk behaviors among adolescents in nine Southeast Asian countries.Methods: Cross-sectional data for 52,803 adolescents (aged 11–18 years; 51.4% female) were obtained from the World Health Organization’s Global School-Based Student Health Survey. Data collected between 2007 and 2015 was available for Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Timor-Leste, and Laos. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between parental monitoring, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use. Age, gender, country differences in sexual risk behaviors, and substance use were also examined.Results: The results revealed that adolescents who reported regular parental monitoring had a lower probability of engaging in sexual risk behaviors and substance use. Using alcohol, prohibited substances, and tobacco was significantly associated with engaging in sexual risk behaviors. Males and older participants were more likely than females and younger participants to report all forms of health risk behavior. Significant differences existed in risk behavior between countries, with participants in Timor-Leste the most likely to engage in most forms of health risk behavior.Conclusion: We considered the results in the context of the economic and regulatory environments in each country. In developing countries, particularly those with relatively strong economic growth and relaxed drug and alcohol regulations, parental monitoring, and other factors such as culture, education, and the health system play a crucial role in protecting adolescents from risky behaviors.

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Addressing Substance Use Utilizing a Community-Based Program among Urban Native American Youth Living in Florida

Genealogy ◽

10.3390/genealogy4030079 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 79

Author(s):

Rose Wimbish-Cirilo ◽

John Lowe ◽

Eugenia Millender ◽

E. Roberto Orellana

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Native American ◽

Well Being ◽

Recruitment Strategy ◽

Native American Youth ◽

Community Based ◽

High Risk Behaviors ◽

Culturally Based ◽

Values And Beliefs ◽

Sample Recruitment

This study was conducted in Florida among two urban Native American youth programs that are sponsored by urban Native American community organizations. Convenience and snowballing were used as a sample recruitment strategy. Assignment to the experimental condition (UTC) and the control condition (SE) was established by randomizing the two community youth program sites to the two conditions. Utilization of a culturally relevant theory, Native-Reliance, guided the intervention approach for the prevention of substance use among urban Native American youth. Results of this study provided evidence that a culturally based intervention was significantly more effective for the reduction of substance use interest and general well-being than a non-culturally based intervention for urban Native American youth. Prevention programs for urban Native American early adolescent youth that utilize Native American strengths, values, and beliefs to promote healthy behavior and reduce the harm associated with high-risk behaviors such as substance use are strongly recommended.

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