title: Protective predictors of alcohol use trajectories among Canadian Aboriginal youth.
abstract: Some Aboriginal youth are at disproportionate risk of using substances and developing abuse and dependence disorders. However, not all Aboriginal youth misuse substances and limited research has examined the protective factors conferring against substance use among these youth. The present study aimed to identify protective factors related to the alcohol use trajectories from early adolescence to emerging adulthood among off-reserve Canadian Aboriginal youth. Participants (N = 330; 50.3% male) aged 12-23 were selected from cycles 2-7 of Statistics Canada's NLSCY. Multilevel modeling was employed to identify protective factors for two constructs of alcohol use. Participation in weekly activities and optimism were found to be protective for both the frequency of alcohol use and heavy drinking trajectories. Attendance of religious services was also found to be protective for heavy drinking behaviors. In contrast, positive peer relationships were a risk factor for frequency of alcohol use, but not heavy drinking. The results provide preliminary evidence of important developmental factors to integrate into substance use intervention programs targeting Aboriginal youth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University, BSB 101, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada. rawana@yorku.ca
authors.forename: Jennine S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rawana
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ames
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007206:Individuality; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult