title: Gender differences in the use of drug resistance strategies: an analysis of rural Asian/Pacific Islander youth.
abstract: This study examines gender differences in the use of drug resistance strategies for rural Asian/Pacific Islander youth. Multiethnic Asian/Pacific Islander youth (N = 213) from six middle/intermediate schools on the Island of Hawai'i participated in the study, and gender differences in their real-world use of specific strategies (e.g., refuse, explain, avoid, leave) were examined. Despite similar levels of exposure to situations where drugs and/or alcohol were offered, girls indicated significantly lower usage of most of the resistance strategies compared to boys, suggesting girls' increased risk in dealing with drug-related problem situations. Implications for gender-and culture-specific health promotion and drug prevention curricula are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hawai'i Pacific University, Honolulu, HI, USA sokamoto@hpu.edu.
authors.forename: Scott K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.affiliation: Hawai'i Pacific University, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pel
authors.affiliation: University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.affiliation: Hawai'i Pacific University, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Valdez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001213:Asian; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; D012424:Rural Population; D012572:School Health Services; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Asian; Pacific Islander; child/adolescent health; health disparities; rural health; substance abuse