ERIC Number: EJ1049089
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Feb
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
The Protective Role of School Friendship Ties for Substance Use and Aggressive Behaviors among Middle School Students
Forster, Myriam; Grigsby, Timothy J.; Bunyan, Alden; Unger, Jennifer Beth; Valente, Thomas William
Journal of School Health, v85 n2 p82-89 Feb 2015
Background: Few studies have examined the interplay among quantifiable aspects of peer bonds, friendship types, personal characteristics, and behavioral outcomes in schools in distressed neighborhoods. The aim of this study was to identify compensatory and protective factors that can be promoted in school-based prevention programs. Methods: The sample was comprised of students in East Los Angeles County (N?=?184). We investigated the association between 3 measures of social influence (friends in gangs, nominations of schoolmates as friends [out-degree], and the number of nominations received from schoolmates [in-degree]) and social self-control with lifetime alcohol, tobacco, inhalant, "other" drug use, and aggression. Results: Friendships were protective for substance use and aggression and moderated the relationship between social self-control, substance use, and aggression. We found important sex differences; girls who nominated more friends were less likely to report alcohol use and aggression relative to boys but were more likely to have reported drug use as social self-control scores increased. Conclusions: Our results have important implications for school-based prevention and intervention programs. We provide preliminary evidence that school ties and perceptions of belongingness can mitigate the effects of several risk factors linked to substance use and aggression.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Substance Abuse, Friendship, Aggression, Prevention, Performance Factors, Peer Relationship, Social Influences, Juvenile Gangs, Self Control, Gender Differences, Drug Use, Alcohol Abuse, Smoking, Inhalants, Peer Influence, Peer Groups, Behavioral Science Research
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse (DHHS/PHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: DA026594; CA009492