The goals of this competing continuation, longitudinal study are to examine the etiologic determinants of changes in adolescent drug use and other problem behaviors and the consequences of drug use on the individual's functioning. The original sample includes 1332 disadvantaged, inner-city Black and Puerto Rican early/middle adolescents (ages 12-17) and 890 parents. Based on four earlier studies, we anticipate obtaining at least 85% of 1332 adolescents and parents at follow-up. A second data collection is proposed to accomplish the following: (1) To examine interrelations and interactions of personality, family, peers, ecological context, drug context and acculturation factors, as they affect the course of drug use (i.e. onset, stability, change), delinquency, """"""""precocious"""""""" sexual behavior, and specific AIDS-related behaviors; (2) To study the consequences of early drug use on adolescent and young adult intra- and interpersonal functioning; and (3) To identify the protective factors that can lessen the risks of adolescents engaging in increased drug use or other problem behaviors. Individual interviews with the adolescent subjects will be conducted by trained interviewers. Data will also be collected from the mothers. Scales with adequate psychometric properties measuring the independent variables will be developed from the interview schedules. The primary analytic techniques will be LISREL, hierarchical, and logistic regression. The significance of this study lies in its longitudinal design with in- depth, intrapsychic, interpersonal and problem behavior data available young, inner-city Blacks and Puerto Ricans. This is the first time such data will be available for so large a sample at particular risk for problem behaviors. Knowing the protective factors which help offset the risks for drug use and other problem behaviors, and knowing the consequences of drug use for psychosocial functioning are important for determining the foci and timing of effective prevention and treatment programs.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 49 publications
