Parents' Perceptions of Their Adolescents' Attitudes Towards Substance Use: By Ethnic Differences

By Dr. Vernita Black

With alcohol and substance use being a long-standing problem since the early-1970s, this book deals with the attitudes of adolescents towards substance use. The book presents a research study comparing the attitudes of grade 7-12 students from different ethnic backgrounds on alcohol and substance use. The students’ attitudes are considered from their parents’ perceptions. The book uses a scientific research approach with a hypothesis, methodology, and recommendations for future research.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524612245

Dr. Vernita Black

Dr. Black is a veteran who retired after serving 21 years in the United States Navy. During her time in the military, Dr. Black earned a Doctorate in Education Counseling Psychology. Her work in educational training, stress management, and drug and alcohol education led her to research alcohol and substance use among adolescents. Dr. Black is the author of Parent’s perceptions of their adolescents’ attitudes towards substance use: By ethnic differences and is also an author of Life’s reflections: A collections of poems on serenity, peace and faith. She is a co-author of the #1 international best-selling book, Women of courage, women of destiny, and co-author of Listen-up by the Veterans Writing Group, San Diego County. Dr. Black discovered through faith and hope a peace and happiness that is possible in the midst of it all.

Book preview

PARENTS’

PERCEPTIONS

OF THEIR

ADOLESCENTS’

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS

SUBSTANCE

USE

BY ETHNIC DIFFERENCES

Dr. Vernita Black

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© 2016 Dr. Vernita Black. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/14/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1225-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-1224-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016908977

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables

CHAPTER ONE THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Problem Background

Teen Illicit Drug Use

Teen Alcohol Use

Adolescents Substance Use by Ethnic Groups

Parent’s Perceptions

Adolescent’s Attitudes toward Substance Use

Purpose of the Study

Research Questions

Definition of Key Terms

Limitations of the Study

Significance of the Study

Summary

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

Review of Literature

Adolescent Attitudes toward Substance Use

Adolescents Alcohol and Drug Use among Ethnic Groups

Parents Perceptions of Adolescents’ Attitudes toward Substance Use

Parents Perception of Substance Use by Ethnic Backgrounds

Summary

CHAPTER THREE METHOD

Introduction

Research Design

Selection of Participants

Instrumentation and Data Collection Strategies

Procedure

Data Analysis

Assumptions of this Study

CHAPTER FOUR FINDINGS

Restatement of the Purpose

Demographics

Restatement of Purpose

Analysis of Responses to Survey Questions

Research Question 1a

Research Question 1b

Research Question 2

Research Question 3

Research Question 4

Summary

CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATION AND SUMMARY

Discussion of Study and Purpose Justification

Interpretation of Data

Demographic Profile

Discussion of Key Themes

Study Limitation

Implications

Recommendations

Recommendations for Future Research

Summary

REFERENCES

APPENDIX A SURVEY

Appendixes

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Descriptive Statistics for the Participants’ Demographics

Table 2 Descriptive Statistics for the Adolescents’ Demographics

Table 3 Means and Standard Deviations of Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 4 One-way ANOVA on Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 5 Means and Standard Deviations of Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 6 One-way ANOVA on Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 7 Means and Standard Deviations of Parent Perceptions of

Peer Drug Modeling by Ethnicity

Table 8 One-way ANOVA on Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 9 Means and Standard Deviations of Parent Perceptions of Self-Esteem by Ethnicity

Table 10 One-way ANOVA on Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 11 Means and Standard Deviations of Parent Perceptions

of Positive Peer Modeling by Ethnicity

Table 12 One-way ANOVA on Parent Perceptions by Ethnicity

Table 13 Descriptive Statistics for Perceptions of Attitudes

towards Substance Use

Table 14 Descriptive Statistics for Perceptions of Attitudes

towards Substance Use

Table 15 Descriptive Statistics for Perceptions of Peer Drug Modeling

Table 16 Descriptive Statistics for Perceptions of Self-Esteem

Table 17 Descriptive Statistics for Perceptions of

Positive Peer Modeling

CHAPTER ONE

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

In the last few decades, there has been a huge increase in the number of drug use among our nation’s youth. National survey data show that drug use among our Nation’s youth is increasing at an alarming rate. Some say we are on the verge of major epidemic. However, 20 years of research have now provided the tools to change current course of events and to reverse the increases in teenage drug use that began in 1992. We know now the causes of drug use and abuse than ever before, and we have learned a great deal about what works and what does not. We are beyond the point where we have to make uninformed choices about what might prevent or reduce teenage drug use (Botvin, 2006).

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, misuse and abuse have continued to be a major issue at the National and local level. In 2003, 19.5 million people or 8.2 percent of the population in the United States age 12 or older used illicit drugs (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2003).

This research compared the attitudes of 7th to 12th graders of differing ethnic backgrounds regarding alcohol and substance use from their parent’s perception. The research took place in 2009 school year. This research study utilized survey data to determine parent’s perception of their adolescents’ attitude toward substance use. Chapter 1 was divided into eight sections as follows: (a) introduction; (b) background of the problems; (c) purpose of the study; (d) research questions; (e) definition of key terms; (f) limitations of study; (g) significance of the study; and (h) overview of the study.

Problem Background

The Adolescent drug use epidemic in the United States dates back over 20 years. Beginning in the 1960’s when much of the nation’s youth began to use psychoactive drugs such as LSD and PCP, the drug epidemic created public concern as it continued into the 70’s. The 1980’s showed much of the same with drug use on the rise (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 1993).

Considering that alcohol and drug use has created concerns since the early 70’s, it is important to present problems associated with children regarding attitudes of alcohol and substance use. Current research, thus far, have primarily focused on alcohol and substance use among children and adults. Although this matter is important, this investigation expands beyond