Violence-related behaviors among Dominican adolescents: examining the influence of alcohol and marijuana use

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2008;7(4):404-27. doi: 10.1080/15332640802508028.

Abstract

This study identified the predictors of youth violence and violent victimization among a sample of Dominican adolescents (N=155) attending high school in a northeastern urban community. As part of a broader community-based needs assessment, students participated in an evaluation of a substance abuse prevention program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Correlations, principal components, multiple imputation, and stepwise regression analyses were systematically employed to develop a parsimonious model for predicting violence-related behaviors among Dominican youth. Findings suggest that early onset of alcohol and marijuana use was associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in violence-related behaviors or being the victim of a violent act. In addition, students who reported a lowered sense of safety were more likely to be involved in acts of violence. However, adolescents who reported depressive symptoms were less inclined to become involved in violence-related behaviors. Implications for culturally-tailored violence and substance abuse prevention programming efforts are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / ethnology*
  • Dominican Republic / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Marijuana Smoking / ethnology*
  • New England / epidemiology
  • Social Environment
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Population
  • Violence* / prevention & control