The Generalizability of Substance Use Predictors Across Racial Groups

Few studies have examined the predictors of substance use for ethnic minority adolescents. The current longitudinal study investigated whether factors predictive of substance use for Caucasian adolescents were also predictive for African American adolescents. Results indicated which predictors of substance use actually differ across African American and Caucasian adolescents (i.e., sensation seeking, peer substance use, and peer pressure resistance) and how they are different when race is crossed with gender. The current findings highlight the need for additional research on the similarities and differences in predictors of substance use across race. Directions for further research are provided including some discussion about contextual and cultural variables researchers might explore.