SOCIAL AND PERSONAL FACTORS IN MARIJUANA USE AND INTENTIONS TO USE DRUGS AMONG INNER-CITY MINORITY YOUTH

Limited information is available about the etiology of illicit drug us e among minority youth. This study examined predictors of marijuana us e and intentions to use marijuana, cocaine/crack, and other drugs for African-American and Hispanic seventh graders (N = 757). Self-reports of marijuana use and intentions to use drugs were collected along with data concerning background, social environmental, and individual char acteristics hypothesized to be related to drug use. Results indicated that social influences, including adults, friends, and the most admire d person's marijuana use, predicted marijuana use. Individual characte ristics, such as a lack of knowledge about the prevalence and negative social consequences of marijuana use, positive attitudes toward marij uana use, and inadequate social, communication, and refusal skills inc reased susceptability to marijuana use. Lack of self-efficacy was rela ted to intentions to use cocaine and other drugs. Implications of thes e findings are discussed with respect to the development of effective prevention programs.