Perceived neighborhood fear and drug use among young adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between perceptions of neighborhood safety and drug use, as well as mediation by depression and self-esteem.


METHODS
The sample included 210 inner-city young adults (18 to 25 years) recruited from the Atlanta, Georgia, USA.


RESULTS
Respondents who indicated greater fear of their neighborhood environment also had significantly greater levels of drug use than did those with lower perceived fear. However, this relationship was not a result of lower self-esteem or higher levels of depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Exploratory results point to the need to consider the broader role of the community environment and its impact on drug use among young adults.
Theall
Katherine P
KP
Louisana State University, School of Public Health, New Orleaans, LA 70112, USA. kthea1@lsuhsc.edu
Sterk
Claire E
CE
Elifson
Kirk W
KW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011584:Psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult