Research & Resources

This study examined the influence of primary socialization theory-related factors (i.e., parental monitoring, peer pressure, attitudes toward school) on intention to use substances among American Indian adolescents. As a part of the Our Youth, Our Future survey—an ongoing surveillance of substance use among 7th–12th graders attending school on or near reservations—8,950 American Indian participants were recruited. Parental monitoring was associated with decreased intention to use alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, or other drugs. Peer pressure was associated with increased intention to use alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, and other drugs. More positive attitudes toward school were associated with decreased intention to use alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, or other drugs. Researchers proposed that these results support incorporating social relationships into interventions aiming to prevent substance use initiation, including promoting positive parental monitoring, peer interactions, and school attitudes.

This paper, “Primary socialization theory and American Indian adolescents’ intentions to use substances,” was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and published in the journal Substance use & misuse.