Druze Adolescent Dropouts in Israel and Their Use of Psychoactive Substances

• NCJ Number: 229985
• Journal: Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: January - March 2010 Pages: 1-13
• Author(s): Faisal Azaiza; Rachel Bar-Hamburger; Khaled Abu-Asbeh
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 13 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Anti-Drug Authority of Israel
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined two personality characteristics, coherence and hardiness, in relation to rates of psychoactive substance abuse in a sample of Druze adolescents in Israel.

Abstract

The current study examines rates of psychoactive substance use among Druze adolescent dropouts and links between use rates and socio-demographic, interpersonal, cognitive, and personality characteristics. Two hundred and four adolescents took part in the study in late 2004. Approximately 21 percent had consumed tobacco 10 times or more in the last year, 25 percent reported consuming alcohol in the same timeframe, and nearly 6 percent used an illegal substance at least once in the last year. Boys had significantly higher rates of alcohol and tobacco use than girls. Religiosity, attitudes and behavioral intentions regarding use were also linked with consumption of the three substances. Tables and references (Published Abstract)