Resiliency Factors Related to Substance Use/Resistance: Perceptions of Native Adolescents of the Southwest

Authors

Margaret A. Waller, Arizona State University
Scott K. Okamoto, Arizona State University
Bart Miles, Wayne State University
Donna E. Hurdle, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Keywords

Native, Indigenous, youth, substance use, family

Abstract

This exploratory, qualitative study examined risk and protective factors influencing drug and alcohol use and/or resistance of Native youth in the Southwest. Thirty-two Native middle school students participated in 10 focus groups that explored their experiences with alcohol and drugs in their school and reservation communities. The findings indicate a complex interaction of both risk and protective factors related to substance use. Respondents' cousins and siblings, in particular, played a key role in their decisions to use or resist drugs. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Waller, Margaret A.; Okamoto, Scott K.; Miles, Bart; and Hurdle, Donna E. (2003) "Resiliency Factors Related to Substance Use/Resistance: Perceptions of Native Adolescents of the Southwest," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 30: Iss. 4, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2939
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol30/iss4/5