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School Factors, Legal Involvement and Marijuana Use among African American Adolescent Males

Fuqua, Stephon H
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553514022127236

Abstract Details

2019, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Health Education.
This dissertation consists of two studies. Study one examined whether past year marijuana use among African American adolescent males differed based on age and school factors. Study two examined whether the association of past year marijuana use and legal involvement among African American adolescent males differed based on age. Study One - Marijuana use among adolescents is a major public health problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of past year marijuana use among African American adolescent males. In addition, the study examined whether past year marijuana use among African American adolescent males differed based on age and school factors. A secondary analysis of the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) was performed. A national sample of African American students grades 7 through 12 (n = 1,152) in the US completed the NSDUH survey. Results indicated that 14.1% of African American male adolescents reported using marijuana in the past year. Those at highest risk for past year marijuana use were those who were 16-17 years old, thought that things they have learned in school are going to be very unimportant/somewhat unimportant later in life, received C’s, D’s or F’s last semester, and think that all/most students in their grade use marijuana. Programs that are culturally competent and culturally sensitive are needed to help reduce marijuana use rates among African American male adolescents. Future studies are needed to examine reasons for use and overall perceptions regarding marijuana use among this population. Research is needed to more thoroughly understand cultural perceptions and perceived social norms among African American adolescent males and marijuana use. Study Two - Despite several interventions, adolescent marijuana use remains a major public health issue. The purpose of this study was to examine whether past year marijuana use among African American adolescent males differed based on legal involvement, perceived risk of harm, ease of access, and perceived disapproval. Data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) was analyzed. A national sample of African American students grades 7 through 12 (n = 1,152) completed the NSDUH survey. Results indicated that 14.1% of African American male adolescents reported using marijuana in the past year. Odds ratios revealed that ever being arrested or booked and being on probation during the past 12 months were associated with increased risk for past year marijuana use. Adolescents at highest risk for past year marijuana use were those who were 16-17 years old, felt smoking marijuana once or twice a week was a moderate risk/great risk, felt it was fairly difficult/very easy to get marijuana, somewhat disapproved/felt neutral of lifetime marijuana use, and had friends who somewhat disapproved/felt neutral of lifetime marijuana use. Public health educators and prevention specialists should integrate the findings of this study into current and future programming. Efforts are needed to continue educating individuals regarding the harmful health effects of marijuana use. Future research is needed to examine whether variables in the present study also significantly correlate to monthly and daily marijuana use among African American adolescent males.
Keith King, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Ashley Merianos, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Rebecca Vidourek, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
52 p.
Health Education
marijuana; African American adolescents; youth; age; school factors; legal involvement

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fuqua, S. H. (2019). School Factors, Legal Involvement and Marijuana Use among African American Adolescent Males [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553514022127236

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fuqua, Stephon. School Factors, Legal Involvement and Marijuana Use among African American Adolescent Males. 2019. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553514022127236.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fuqua, Stephon. "School Factors, Legal Involvement and Marijuana Use among African American Adolescent Males." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553514022127236

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1553514022127236
237
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.