Substance Use and Its Relationship to Family Functioning and Self-Image in Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 235078
• Journal: Journal of Drug Education Volume: 41 Issue: 1 Dated: 2011 Pages: 79-97
• Author(s): Jie Wu Weiss, Ph.D.; Vincent Merrill, Ph.D.; Kathy Akagha, M.P.H.
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 9DT-0090
• Sponsoring Agency: California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined associations between substance use, family functioning, and self-image among four ethnic adolescent groups.

Abstract

Three thousand three hundred and fifteen 8th and 9th grade students were recruited from 10 schools in Los Angeles County. Participants completed a paper-and-pencil survey regarding their alcohol and marijuana use, along with their perceived family functioning and self-image and other demographic variables. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to examine associations. Results indicated that both family functioning and self-image were significantly associated with alcohol and marijuana use. Those who scored lower on family functioning and self-image were at increased risk for substance use. Furthermore, students who scored low in both family functioning and self-image were about twice as likely to report using alcohol. (Published Abstract)