Adverse Events and Substance Use Among Female Adolescent Offenders: Effects of Coping and Family Support

This study examined a stress-coping model for substance use among female adolescents (N = 305, 69% African American) involved in the Mississippi juvenile justice system. Participants were interviewed in 2006, regarding exposure to adverse and traumatic events, and they completed self-administered measures of social support from relatives, coping strategies, and questions on frequency of alcohol and other drug use. Results from nested regression models revealed that stressors are associated with drug, but not alcohol use. The use of supportive kinship ties and religion to cope were protective factors. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed.