Some Determinants of Attitudes toward Substance Use in an Urban Ethnic Community

Abstract

Personal interview responses of a stratified random sample of 411 non-institutionalized black adults, 18 yr. of age and older, who resided in a large northeastern city showed sex, age, marital status, community involvement, racial consciousness, and religious involvement as significantly related to attitudes toward substance use. Educational status was not an important predictor of attitudes. Women, persons 65 yr. of age and older, and married respondents were less tolerant of substance use than men, persons less than 25 yr. of age, and those who were single. Respondents involved in church and community activities and those with a high level of racial consciousness were more likely to express intolerant attitudes toward substance use than those not so involved and aware. The significance of these findings and implications for programs for prevention of substance abuse and future research are discussed.