The Role of Personality Factors in Marijuana Use Among American Indian Adolescents

Introduction. While the American Indian population is relatively small compared to other racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States, this population is disproportionately negatively affected by substance use and misuse (Stanley et al., 2014). While there has been a large amount of epidemiological level research examining this problem, there have been relatively few studies looking at personality factors as predictors of substance use in this population (e.g., Spillane et al., 2012). The current study examines the predictive influence of risk seeking, a proxy for sensation seeking, and self-esteem as predictors of marijuana use in a nationally representative sample of American Indians.

Methods. Data come from an ongoing study of the epidemiology and etiology of substance use among reservation-based American Indian youth. Schools on or near reservations across 5 geographic regions (Northwest, Northern Plains, Southeast, Southern Great Plains, and Southwest) were sampled over four years (school years 2009–2012). The sample was restricted to only those indicating being American Indian (n = 3068). Participants (47.0% female, M Age = 15.01, range 10-21) completed the study survey. Risk seeking was a composite of 3 variables: “I like to do dangerous things,” “I take chances,” and “I would like to learn to sky dive. Self-esteem was a composite of 5 variables: “I am proud of myself,” “I like myself,” “People like me,” and “I am smart.” The composite scores were used to predict marijuana use.

Results. Results indicated ever using marijuana was significantly negatively predicted by self-esteem, and there was a significant interaction between risk seeking and self-esteem. Marijuana use in the last 12 months was positively predicted by risk seeking. Self-esteem negatively predicted age of onset of marijuana use. The interaction of self-esteem and risk seeking also significantly predicted age of onset of marijuana use. Risk seeking predicted level of marijuana user. Having ever used marijuana alone was significantly positively predicted by risk seeking. In addition to looking at these relations in the total sample, comparisons across geographic regions will be presented.

Discussion. This is one of the first studies looking at personality predictors of marijuana use in an American Indian population. Given the impact of substance use on this population, it is important to understand risk and protective factors that contribute to substance use liability. Results from these analyses can be used to inform prevention strategies.