The relationship between youth substance use and area-specific self-esteem.
A cross-sectional survey design investigated the relationship of school and home self-esteem to history of substance use, membership in alternative education (non-mainstream) school programs, gender, and race. Self-esteem was assessed using the Hare Self-Esteem Scale. Four hundred eleven sixth grade students completed the survey. Results revealed home self-esteem related inversely to tobacco use (F = 15.39, df = 2,343, p < .0001), alcohol use (F = 12.08, df = 2,343, p < .0001), and use of other drugs (F = 12.28, df = 2,338, p < .0001). Similarly, school self-esteem related inversely to tobacco use (F = 15.47, df = 2,354, p < .0001), alcohol use (F = 8.74, df = 2,353, p = .0002), and use of other drugs (F = 9.30, df = 2,350, p < .0001). Regardless of type of drug, recent users had the lowest self-esteem scores on both subscales and never users had the highest scores. Subjects enrolled in non-mainstream programs had significantly lower home and school self-esteem scores than did subjects in mainstream classes. Race and gender were not associated significantly with self-esteem. Implications for youth substance use prevention and research are discussed.
Emery
E M
EM
Emory University School of Medicine, Dept of Community and Preventive Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30332.
McDermott
R J
RJ
Holcomb
D R
DR
Marty
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D015982:Bias; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires