Among African American adolescents, negative school feelings and poor grades were associated with marijuana use for both sexes, but perceived peer use was a much stronger predictor for females (8x more likely) than males (3.5x more likely).
School counselors, prevention program designers, and youth health researchers.
8x risk from perceived peer use for females
What the researchers found
For females, the strongest risk factors were negative school feelings (OR 2.72), finding courses uninteresting (OR 2.70), and poor grades (OR 2.52). For males, the strongest risk factors were feeling school was unimportant for later life (OR 3.47), negative school feelings (OR 2.36), and poor grades (OR 2.73). Perceived peer marijuana use was dramatically more predictive for females (OR 8.29) than males (OR 3.42).
Why it matters
Prevention programs often take a one-size-fits-all approach, but these findings suggest that the pathways to marijuana use differ by sex, even within the same racial/ethnic group.
The numbers in context
Females: negative feelings OR 2.72, uninteresting courses OR 2.70, poor grades OR 2.52, perceived peer use OR 8.29. Males: school unimportant OR 3.47, negative feelings OR 2.36, poor grades OR 2.73, perceived peer use OR 3.42.
How the study worked
Secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Multivariable logistic regression examining past-month marijuana use among African American adolescents by school experiences and sex.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional data cannot establish causation. Self-reported marijuana use. 2012 data may not reflect current trends. Focused on African American adolescents only.
How to read the evidence
Large national survey with robust statistical methods, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
When this study was published
2019 analysis of 2012 national survey data.
The bigger picture
The dramatic sex difference in peer influence suggests that social norms interventions might be particularly effective for young Black women, while relevance-of-education messaging might work better for young Black men.
Questions still open
- Why is perceived peer use so much more influential for females? Would sex-specific prevention programs produce better outcomes?
Common questions
What school factors predict teen marijuana use?
Does peer influence affect boys and girls differently for marijuana use?
Read the original research
Sex Differences in the Association Between School Experiences and Marijuana Use Among African American Adolescents.
Journal of community health, 44(3), 534-543
Citation
Vidourek, Rebecca A; King, Keith A. (2019). Sex Differences in the Association Between School Experiences and Marijuana Use Among African American Adolescents.. Journal of community health, 44(3), 534-543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-019-00652-7
Explore the wider topic
- How to Talk to Your Teenager About Weed (Without Losing Them)
- My Kid's Friends Smoke Weed: A Parent's Guide
- I Smoke Weed But Don't Want My Kids To: Navigating the Hypocrisy
- Quitting Weed as a Parent: Why It Is the Hardest and Most Important Quit
- Quitting Weed as a Teen or Young Adult
- My Kid Is Smoking Weed: A Parent's Guide