Among 7,488 African American middle and high school students, 18.5% used marijuana in the past year, with risky behaviors as risk factors and parent, teacher, and school connections as significant protective factors.
Parents and educators of African American youth.
18.5% past-year marijuana use; multiple parent, teacher, and school connections reduced risk
What the researchers found
A survey of 7,488 African American students from 133 metropolitan schools found that 18.5% reported past-year marijuana use, with males significantly more likely to use than females.
Risk factors for marijuana use included getting in trouble at school and with police, and attending parties where alcohol and other drugs were present. Conversely, having multiple protective factors from parents, teachers, and school significantly reduced marijuana use.
The protective factors operated across multiple domains: parental monitoring and engagement, positive teacher relationships, and school connectedness all independently contributed to lower marijuana use. Having protective factors in multiple domains was more beneficial than protection from any single source.
Why it matters
African American youth face unique cultural and environmental pressures regarding substance use. This study identifies specific, actionable protective factors (parent involvement, teacher relationships, school connection) that reduce marijuana use in this population, providing targets for culturally informed prevention programs.
The numbers in context
7,488 African American students. 133 schools. 18.5% past-year marijuana use. Males more likely than females. Risky behaviors (school trouble, police trouble, drug parties) were risk factors. Parent, teacher, and school protective factors reduced use.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey using the PRIDE instrument (a nationally recognized substance use survey) administered to 7,488 African American middle and high school students from 133 metropolitan schools.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation. Self-reported marijuana use may be underreported. The PRIDE survey captures school-attending youth, missing those who have dropped out. Metropolitan schools may not represent rural African American communities. The study did not examine marijuana potency, frequency, or consequences.
How to read the evidence
Moderate evidence from a large cross-sectional survey.
When this study was published
Published in 2017.
The bigger picture
Prevention science consistently finds that relationships matter: connected youth use substances less. This study confirms the pattern specifically for marijuana use among African American youth and identifies the multi-domain nature of protection. Programs that engage parents, train teachers, and build school connectedness simultaneously may be most effective.
Questions still open
- Which specific parent, teacher, or school behaviors are most protective? Do the protective factors differ for boys versus girls? Would interventions that strengthen these protective factors actually reduce marijuana use in randomized trials?
Common questions
What protects African American youth from marijuana use?
What increases the risk of marijuana use in this population?
Read the original research
Psychosocial determinants of marijuana use among African American youth.
Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 16(1), 43-65
Citation
Vidourek, Rebecca A; King, Keith A; Montgomery, LaTrice. (2017). Psychosocial determinants of marijuana use among African American youth.. Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 16(1), 43-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2015.1084256
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