The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

Hawkins et al. 1992; Newcomb et al. 1987). The risk factors are as
follows:
Early initiation of drug use predicts later abuse. Most research
concurs that there is a linear relationship to early onset and severity of
abuse.
School problems such as academic failure in school and a low degree
of commitment to education have been identified as significant
predictors of substance abuse.
Personality characteristics such as rebelliousness, nonconformity
(alienation), and a strong sense of independence are positively
associated with substance abuse.
Lack of family support and guidance, resulting in family conflict,
noninvolvement, and detachment between adolescents and their
parents have been related most significantly with initiation of
substance use. Conversely, adolescents’ reports of trust, warmth, and
involvement with parents have been associated with nonuse or less
frequent use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana.
Of particular significance are findings related to the role of peers in
determining adolescents’ use of substances. Peer influences on
adolescents’ substance use have been empirically demonstrated by
adolescents’ association with peers who also use substances,
conforming to peer pressure and perceptions that peers are engaging
in substance use behaviors (perceived social norms), as well as
relying on the opinions of peers rather than on parents or other adults.
While knowledge about risk factors for substance abuse in adolescents
does not offer a total solution for preventing substance use behavior, it
does point to key elements to target when designing intervention
strategies for prevention. Moreover, prevention strategies are most likely
to be effective if they are based on an understanding of the antecedents to
substance use. Thus, it is unlikely that a focus on one risk factor will lead
to prevention, nor is it likely that one prevention strategy will be
effective.
146