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Citation |
Trenz RC, Dunne EM, Zur J, Latimer WW. Vulnerable Child. Youth Stud. 2015; 10(2): 131-140. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Research has shown that early initiation of substance abuse has negative impacts on school performance and is predictive of substance abuse in adulthood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between school-related variables and problematic substance use among adolescents in an urban setting. Adolescent participants (M age = 16.26, SD = 2.10; 65.3% male; 70.2% African-American) completed face-to-face interviews consisting of the Personal Experience Inventory (PEI) and a school-related questionnaire. Participants reported using alcohol to get drunk (44.9%), using marijuana (63.9 %) and other drugs to get high (19.8%). School-related risk and protective factors included: failed a class (61.8%), held back a grade (42.7%), sent to the principal (46.0%), family called for a conference (44.7%), suspended (39.0%), expelled (18.7%), and feeling good about school (61.3%) and teachers (66.1%). Having failed a class (AOR = 2.83), having been held back a grade (AOR = 4.68), and having been sent to the principal (AOR = 2.98) predicted problematic substance use. Feeling good about school (AOR = 0.39) and teachers (AOR = 0.27) was protective against problematic substance use. |