The Relationship between Religion, Substance Misuse, and Mental Health among Black Youth.

Studies suggest that religion is a protective factor for substance misuse and mental health concerns among Black/African American youth despite reported declines in their religious involvement. However, few studies have investigated the associations among religion, substance misuse, and mental health among Black youth. Informed by Critical Race Theory, we evaluated the correlations between gender, depression, substance misuse, and unprotected sex on mental health. Using multiple linear regression, we assessed self-reported measures of drug use and sex, condom use, belief in God, and religiosity on mental health among a sample of Black youth (N = 638) living in a large midwestern city. Results indicated drug use, and sex while on drugs and alcohol, were significant and positively associated with mental health symptoms. Belief in God was negatively associated with having sex while on drugs and alcohol. The study's findings suggest that despite the many structural inequalities that Black youth face, religion continues to be protective for Black youth against a myriad of prevalent problem behaviors.

Exploring substance misuse behaviors among black girls in detention: Intersections of trauma, sex, and age.

High risk substance misuse, trauma and gang involvement are prevalent in adolescents and often occur with youth involved with the youth punishment system. Evidence suggests that system involvement is related to trauma histories, substance misuse, as well as gang involvement. This study investigated the associations between individual and peer factors and their relationship to problem drug and alcohol use among Black girls involved with the youth punishment system. Data were collected from 188 Black girls in detention at baseline, as well as 3 and 6 month follow up periods. Measures assessed were abuse history, trauma history, sex while using drugs and alcohol, age, government assistance, and drug use. Significant findings from the multiple regression analyses indicated that younger girls were more likely to have a higher prevalence of having a drug problem than older girls at baseline. Having sex while on drugs and alcohol at the 3 month follow up period was correlated with drug use. These findings highlight how individual and peer factors can influence problem substance misuse, their behavior and peer relationships among Black girls in detention.

Perceptions of Sexual Risk and HIV/STI Prevention Among Black Adolescent Girls in a Detention Center: an Investigation of the Role of Parents and Peers.

Black American adolescent girls constitute approximately one third of the US youth legal system population. Their overrepresentation in the youth punishment system is an indicator of significant physical, sexual, and/or behavioral health needs. Since less is known about perceptions of HIV/STI risk among Black girls with juvenile justice histories, we used intersectionality theory to explore the following: (1) how a sample of Black girls in detention endorse their perceptions of sexual safety given the multiple intersections of their race, gender, and SES and (2) how their endorsements align with interlocking systems of social inequality for system-involved Black at the social structural level. We examined relational and behavioral factors associated perceived HIV/STI risk. Among a sample of 188 Black girls (ages 13-17 years), we examined parent and partner sexual communication, fear of condom negotiation, a positive STI test, and partner risk profile as significant correlates. Major findings indicated that greater partner communication was associated with higher perceived HIV/STI risk, whereas having had a risky sexual partner, fear of condom negotiation, and having had a positive STI test were correlated with lower perceived risk. The significant factors identified in this study can be the focus of STI prevention and intervention programs for Black girls with youth punishment histories.