Drug Use, Drug Trafficking, and Weapon Carrying Among Low-Income, African-American, Early Adolescent Boys

Objective. To examine relationships involving three extremely high-risk behaviors (drug use, drug trafficking, and weapon carrying) among low-income, urban, African-American early adolescent boys using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Method. The quantitative phase included 192 African-American boys from 9 through 15 years of age recruited from recreation centers located in low-income communities. Youth completed a survey addressing personal risk practices; intentions to engage in risk practices; risk taking among family, friends and community; and values toward risk practices. They also completed standardized assessments of sensation seeking, perceived peer pressure, and parent-child communication. All questionnaires were self-administered through MacIntosh computers programmed to present questions aurally and visually. The qualitative phase included 12 African-American youth from low-income, urban families. The youth participated in 60- to 90-minute interviews regarding drug activities and violence. Results. Most boys (73%) were not involved in either drug activities or weapon carrying. Boys who were involved in drug activities or weapon carrying were often involved in other high-risk activities (cigarette and alcohol use, school failure and expulsion) and had low rates of adaptive communication with their parents. The boys reported high rates of drug involvement by their family, friends, and community. However, psychological and interpersonal factors were better predictors of individual risk activities than community or family variables. Personal values regarding economics predicted drug trafficking. More than 56% of the boys who reported past involvement in drug activities did not anticipate future involvement. Conclusions. Multilevel strategies are necessary to prevent involvement in drug activities and weapon carrying. Intervention programs should begin early and should promote communication between parents and children, adaptive behavior in school, and avoidance of cigarette and alcohol use. Community-level interventions are needed to alter the myth that drug involvement and weapon carrying are normative and to promote images that are less materialistic and more supportive of education and future-oriented activities.

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Recent and Intended Drug Trafficking Among Male and Female Urban African-American Early Adolescents

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.93.6.1044 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

pp. 1044-1049

Author(s):

Xiaoming Li ◽

Susan Feigelman

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

High Risk ◽

Social Environment ◽

Low Income ◽

Drug Trafficking ◽

Strong Association ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Social Environments ◽

High Risk Behaviors ◽

Convenience Sample

Objective. To investigate associations between recent and intended involvement in drug trafficking and perceptions of the social environment among high-risk urban African-American youths. Methods. A multicomponent risk assessment survey was conducted among a convenience sample of 351 African-American youths 9 through 15 years of age residing in low-income communities. Both univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to examine the association of youths' perceived social environment with recent and intended involvement in drug trafficking. Results. Drug selling or delivering in the previous 6 months was reported by 6% of the youths; 12% expected to engage in these activities in the next 6 months. There was a strong association between drug trafficking and other high-risk behaviors, including drug use. Among both genders, perceptions that neighbors, friends, or family members were involved in drug trafficking were correlated with recent or intended drug trafficking. For boys, personal economic needs had a strong association with drug trafficking. For girls, personal feelings were more important correlates of intended involvement. Conclusions. Efforts aimed at both drug-trafficking prevention and intervention need to be community-based and multifaceted. Programs should address the youths' perceived social environments and consider gender differences regarding correlates of drug-trafficking involvement.

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The "Hustle": Socioeconomic Deprivation, Urban Drug Trafficking, and Low-Income, African-American Male Gender Identity

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.93.6.1050 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

pp. 1050-1054

Author(s):

Tony Larry Whitehead ◽

James Peterson ◽

Linda Kaljee

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Inner City ◽

Low Income ◽

African American Males ◽

Drug Trafficking ◽

The United States ◽

Economic Support ◽

Power Base ◽

Considerable Morbidity ◽

Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Objective. Drug trafficking seems to be both prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality among inner-city African-American males. Survey data has indicated the possible importance of economic need in the rapid emergence of drug trafficking in this population. In the present study, an historical-cultural approach is used to examine this economic relationship further and to explore the role that drug trafficking plays in a society that has permitted its successful and rapid growth. Methodology. Data were obtained from interviews of approximately 600 African-Americans residing in inner-city neighborhoods in Washington, DC and Baltimore during nine drug- and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related studies conducted over 4 years. Results and conclusions. From the perspective of the study participants, the need to provide economic support for one's family as well as to achieve some sense of status, respect, and reputation among one's peers are two core constructs of masculine identity in the United States. The historical and worsening inequities in access to economic resources and power by African-American males are viewed as significantly reducing the opportunity for economic success through more social or legal enterprises. Pursuit of nonmainstream activities (such as drug trafficking) is perceived as offering an opportunity for economic advancement and for establishing a power base for individuals who have been denied access to mainstream opportunities.

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Social cognitions, distress, and leadership self-efficacy: Associations with aggression for high-risk minority youth

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579414000376 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 759-772 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Stephen S. Leff ◽

Courtney N. Baker ◽

Tracy E. Waasdorp ◽

Nicole A. Vaughn ◽

Katherine B. Bevans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

High Risk ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Low Income ◽

Social Information Processing ◽

Urban Youth ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Ethnic Minority Youth ◽

Youth Aggression

AbstractUrban ethnic minority youth are often exposed to high levels of aggression and violence. As such, many aggression intervention programs that have been designed with suburban nonethnic minority youth have been used or slightly adapted in order to try and meet the needs of high-risk urban youth. The current study contributes to the literature base by examining how well a range of social–cognitive, emotional distress and victimization, and prosocial factors are related to youth aggression in a sample of urban youth. This study utilized data gathered from 109 9- to 15-year-old youth (36.7% male; 84.4% African American) and their parents or caregivers. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions were fit predicting youth aggression from social–cognitive variables, victimization and distress, and prosocial variables, controlling for youth gender and age. Each set of variables explained a significant and unique amount of the variance in youth aggressive behavior. The full model including all predictors accounted for 41% of the variance in aggression. Models suggest that youth with stronger beliefs supportive of violence, youth who experience more overt victimization, and youth who experience greater distress in overtly aggressive situations are likely to be more aggressive. In contrast, youth with higher self-esteem and youth who endorse greater leadership efficacy are likely to be less aggressive. Contrary to hypotheses, hostile attributional bias and knowledge of social information processing, experience of relational victimization, distress in relationally aggressive situations, and community engagement were not associated with aggression. Our study is one of the first to address these important questions for low-income, predominately ethnic minority urban youth, and it has clear implications for adapting aggression prevention programs to be culturally sensitive for urban African American youth.

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Sexual Practices and Intentions Among Preadolescent and Early Adolescent Low-Income Urban African-Americans

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.93.6.966 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

pp. 966-973

Author(s):

Bonita Stanton ◽

Xiaoming Li ◽

Maureen Black ◽

Izabel Ricardo ◽

Jennifer Galbraith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Low Income ◽

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽

Social Influences ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Early Adolescent ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽

Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Objective. To assess the sexual practices and the social and intrapersonal influences on sexual practices and intentions which have an impact on the risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among pre- and early adolescent, low-income African-American youths. Design. Cross-sectional cohort study conducted in nine recreation centers serving three public housing developments in an eastern city. Participants. Three hundred fifty-one African-American youths 9 to 15 years of age. Outcome measures. Past and intended sexual intercourse, and past and intended condom use determined by a risk assessment instrument delivered aurally and visually via a "talking" MacIntosh computer. Results. The median age was 11 years; 35% of youths had had sexual intercourse and 20% of virgins thought it likely that they would become sexually active in the next six months. Age and male gender were correlated with sexual activity. Of sexually active youths 62% had used a condom during their last episode of coitus and 60% expected to do so at the next episode. Among sexually active youths, 24% of boys and 35% of girls had had anal intercourse. Rates of foreplay (nonpenetrative sex) were low even among sexually active youths. The median number of sexual partners in the past six months was two. Social influences from parents, peers, and partners in an intimate relationship were important for all four sexual outcomes both by univariate analysis and after logistic regression. Implications. A high percentage of the low-income, urban African-American pre- and early adolescents in this study are engaging or intending to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome reduction interventions for early adolescents should incorporate the importance of social influences from multiple sources.

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Genes involved in stress response and alcohol use among high-risk African American youth

Substance Abuse ◽

10.1080/08897077.2015.1134756 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 450-458 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Neeru Goyal ◽

Fazil Aliev ◽

Shawn J. Latendresse ◽

Darlene A. Kertes ◽

John M. Bolland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Stress Response ◽

High Risk ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

African American Youth

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Effects of Alcohol Use Initiation Patterns on High-Risk Behaviors among Urban, Low-Income, Young Adolescents

Prevention Science ◽

10.1007/s11121-009-0144-y ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 14-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Kelli A. Komro ◽

Amy L. Tobler ◽

Mildred M. Maldonado-Molina ◽

Cheryl L. Perry

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Low Income ◽

Young Adolescents ◽

High Risk Behaviors ◽

Alcohol Use Initiation

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Examining Africentric Cultural Values, Ethnic Identity, and Substance Use Abstinence in Low-Income, Early Adolescent, African American Girls

Journal of Black Psychology ◽

10.1177/0095798417746265 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 74-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Delida Sanchez ◽

Emma R. Hamilton ◽

Dorie J. Gilbert ◽

Elizabeth A. Vandewater

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

African American ◽

Ethnic Identity ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Low Income ◽

Early Adolescent ◽

African American Girls ◽

Positive Interaction ◽

Alcohol Abstinence

An examination of cultural protective factors that foster substance use abstinence among low-income, early adolescent, African American girls may be helpful in understanding how to promote resilience and reduce negative health outcomes. This study examined the relations between Africentric cultural values, ethnic identity, and substance use abstinence among 196 low-income African American early adolescent girls (age 11-14 years). Results of logistic regressions revealed that Africentric values were negatively linked to cigarette and alcohol abstinence. Results also showed a significant positive interaction between Africentric cultural values and ethnic identity exploration that contributed to increased cigarette and alcohol abstinence. Implications for research and practice with African American early adolescent girls are discussed.

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