Do parents and peers matter? A prospective socio-ecological examination of substance use and sexual risk among African American youth

J Adolesc. 2011 Oct;34(5):1035-47. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.11.004. Epub 2010 Dec 14.

Abstract

We examined the direct contribution of parent and peer risk and promotive factors on youth condom use trajectories, in addition to the indirect influence of these factors via youth's substance use over four years in a sample of urban, African American youth (N=679; 51% female; M=14.86 years; SD=0.65). Growth curve modeling was used to estimate changes in substance use and sexual risk across adolescence and test their association with parent and peer factors. Parent and peer risk factors were strongly associated with increasing substance use as youth aged. Substance use and condom use were interrelated. Parent and peer risk factors were indirectly associated with youth condom use; parent and peer promotive factors were directly associated with condom use, after accounting for substance use. Findings suggest the value of considering multiple influences on youth risk behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations / ethnology*
  • Peer Group*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / ethnology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / etiology*
  • United States