Substance Use Survey with Old Order Amish Early Adolescents: Perceptions of Peer Alcohol and Drug Use

• NCJ Number: 240402
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: July - August 2012 Pages: 193-203
• Author(s): James A. Cates; Chris Weber
• Date Published: July 2012
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey; Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes a survey completed by Amish adolescents on substance use.

Abstract

Students in a junior high school serving a large Old Order Amish settlement completed a survey of attitudes, opinions, and intentions regarding substance use. A total of 1,031 students participated across a 4-year span, approximately equally divided between Amish and non-Amish youths. Amish youths maintain attitudes that suggest perceived greater use of substances by their peers and greater concern about this use; however, they also express the intent to use alcohol and tobacco at a higher rate than non-Amish counterparts. The study addresses implications for interventions among Amish youths as they mature and enter an often culturally sanctioned period of alcohol use. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.