Identifying Competing Life Reinforcers for Substance Use in First Nation Adolescents

• Published in: Substance use & misuse Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 886 - 895
• Main Authors: Spillane, Nichea S., Kirk-Provencher, Katelyn T., Schick, Melissa R., Nalven, Tessa, Goldstein, Silvi C., Kahler, Christopher W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.04.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: adolescent; Adolescents; Availability; Behavior; Drug use; Grounded theory; Indigenous; Indigenous peoples; Prevention; Protective factors; Risk assessment; Risk factors; Substance abuse; substance use; Teenagers; Youth; substance use; adolescent; risk factors; protective factors; Indigenous
• ISSN: 1082-6084; 1532-2491
• DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1710206

Background: Indigenous youth are at increased risk of initiating substance use at early ages and suffer greater negative consequences related to substance use as compared to non-Indigenous youth. Behavioral Theories of Choice suggests that substance use is contingent on the availability of substances and the availability of alternatives to substance use. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate risk and protective factors associated with substance use in one group of First Nation adolescents. Methods: Using a modified grounded theory approach, the present study conducted qualitative focus groups and individual interviews with fifteen reserve-dwelling (75% female, M age = 15.2 years) First Nation adolescents to assess categories of risk and protective factors based upon Behavioral Theories of Choice. Results: Adolescents identified peer influences, parental/family influences, and community influences and issues as risk and protective factors associated with substance use. Conclusions: Results highlight possible targets of culturally appropriate prevention strategies for Indigenous populations.