Parental Style as a Possible Mediator of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Substance Use in African-American Adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: In both the general adolescent literature and African-American adolescent substance use literature, several facets of family relationships have been identified as protective factors for adolescent substance use. Two such factors are religiosity and parental style. The relationship of these variables, however, may not be direct in relation to adolescent substance use. There are gaps in the knowledge base for African-American youths living in poverty that would benefit from further exploration. Method: A sample of 2,317 African-American adolescents, living in metropolitan low-income areas and ranging in age from 9 to 19 years old, were surveyed. An exploratory analysis was performed to determine if parental style was a mediator variable for religion and substance use. Results: The results suggest that parental style is a mediating variable. Results were significant for several parental style and religiosity variables. Conclusions: The parent-adolescent relationship is an important factor influencing adolescent substance use. Also, the influence of religiosity appears to be a significant factor in this relationship. This relationship should also be targeted when considering any intervention for treating these adolescents. Further research should be conducted in this domain.