Cultural resilience: An examination of parent, peer, and cultural factors associated with Black teenage attitudes toward delinquency and substance use

The purpose of the present study was to add to the social science literature regarding attitudes toward delinquency and substance use among urban Black American youth. Specifically, the goal of the research was to examine the impact of parent, peer, and components of Black American culture on adolescent attitudes toward delinquency and substance use. The research included 108 Black American adolescents from grades 9–12. Self-report measures were used to examine parent factors, including parent child involvement, parental control, and parent attitudes toward delinquency and peer variables of peer bond and peer attitudes toward delinquency. In addition, self-report of the cultural factors, ethnic identity, parental racial socialization, and extended family support were examined. Results from simultaneous regression analyses demonstrated that youth affiliated with peers who disapprove of delinquency are less likely to approve delinquency and substance use. Youth whom receive high levels of supervision from their parents are less likely to approve delinquency and substance use. In addition, youth with parents who disapprove of delinquency are more likely to disapprove substance use. The results also highlighted that cultural factors contributed to Black youth attitudes toward delinquency and substance use. Youth with higher levels of ethnic identity are more likely to disapprove of substance use. Youth receiving more parental racial socialization messages regarding racism are more likely to approve delinquency and substance use. The research highlights the importance of examining unique cultural factors specific to Black American culture that may impact risk involvement. Findings are also relevant for preventive interventions working with Black American youth and families