title: Substance use among Asian-American adolescents: perceptions of use and preferences for prevention programming.
abstract: Rarely has substance use prevention programming targeted Asian-American adolescents. Using a focus group methodology, we explored perceptions of substance use and preferences for prevention programming among 31 Asian-American adolescents in New York City. Participants considered substance use common in the community. Factors contributing to substance use among Asian-American adolescents (e.g., peer pressure, pressure to achieve, family factors, and community influence) were identified, and the need for prevention programs tailored for the Asian-American community was highlighted. Participants discussed preferred program content, delivery settings, and recruitment and retention strategies. Despite the favorable attitude for family-based prevention programming, participants raised potential issues concerning the feasibility of such a program. Study findings facilitate understanding of Asian-American adolescents' substance use behavior and shed light on prevention program development for this underserved population.
authors.affiliation: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. lin.fang@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barnes-Ceeney
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D016730:Program Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*