Biological and Social Correlates of Drug Use in African American Emerging Adults

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Specific Aims The National Center on Minority Health Disparities has identified seven specific areas of interest for 2006-2007 Exploratory NCMHD Research Center of Excellence (P20): ¿ Original and innovative basic laboratory, behavioral, clinical, and population based research toward improving minority health focused on eliminating health disparities in any of the following diseases or conditions: o Cardiovascular disease o Stroke o Cancer o Diabetes o HIV/AIDS* o Infant Mortality* o Mental Health* o Obesity The research proposed in this project focuses on the relationship between genetic influences, environmental stress, mental health (e.g. depression) and drug use. This issue is highly relevant to the mental health of our youth since alcohol use disorders are estimated to be the most prevalent adult psychiatric disorder. The effects of prenatal drug use on infant development as well as the impact on children who are growing up in households where substance abuse and mental health issues may exist are well documented. Drug use is also related to the risk for contracting HIV/AIDS - which is increasing dramatically in African American youth. This study will examine relationships between genetic (i.e., family history of drug use, genetic markers for depression and alcohol metabolism) and environmental risk factors (i.e., exposure to interpersonal and community violence), psychological functioning, and ATOD use and abuse (alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use) in a sample of African American young adults aged 18-25 (n = 600). The primary goal of the study is to assess whether the presence of genetic risk factors for drug use and/or depression increases the likelihood of psychological distress (i.e., depression, hopelessness, and self-efficacy) and drug use and/or abuse. We will examine these relationships in a sample of African American emerging adults who live in urban environments where they are at risk for exposure to violence and drug use as they transition into adult roles and responsibilities. The central hypothesis of this study is: Dysfunction in the serotonergic system is significantly involved in the genetics of alcohol and drug use including frequency of use, age of initiation and drug use and abuse behaviors in African American young adults in Washington DC. Additional secondary hypotheses are listed in the aims below:: 1. To describe the association of genetic risk factors (i.e., family history of drug dependence) to psychological functioning (hopelessness, depression, self-efficacy) and to ATOD use and abuse (age of initiation, frequency of use, drug abuse behaviors) in a sample of African American emerging adults. ¿ Hypothesis 1 A: A family history of drug dependence (dependence in first degree relatives) will be associated with higher levels of psychological distress (hopelessness and depression) and lower levels of self-efficacy ¿ Hypothesis 1B: A family history of drug dependence (dependence in first degree relatives) will be associated with earlier ages of initiation of drug use, greater frequency of current ATOD use, and drug abuse behaviors 2. To describe the association of genetic risk factors (i.e., genetic markers for depression) to psychological functioning and to ATOD use and abuse in a sample of African American emerging adults. ¿ Hypothesis 2A: Genetic markers for depression will be associated with higher levels of psychological distress (depression, hopelessness), and lower levels of self-efficacy ¿ Hypothesis 2B: Genetic markers for depression will be associated with earlier ages of initiation of drug use, greater frequency of current ATOD use and drug abuse behaviors. ¿ Hypothesis 2C: Genetic markers for alcohol and drug metabolism will be modifiers of drug use and 3. To describe the association of environmental stressors (i.e., exposure to interpersonal and community violence) to psychological functioning and ATOD use and abuse in a sample of African American emerging adults. ¿ Hypothesis 3A: Higher levels of violence exposure will be associated with higher levels of psychological distress (depression, hopelessness), and lower levels of self-efficacy ¿ Hypothesis 3B: Higher levels of violence exposure will be associated with earlier ages of initiation of drug use, greater frequency of current ATOD use, and drug abuse behaviors 4. To describe the role of biological and genetic risk factors as moderating variables in relationships between environmental stressors, psychological functioning, and ATOD use and abuse in a sample of African American emerging adults. ¿ Hypothesis 4A: A family history of drug dependence will increase the magnitude of relationships between violence exposure, psychological distress and ATOD use. ¿ Hypothesis 4B: Genetic markers for depression will increase the magnitude of relationships between violence exposure, psychological distress and ATOD use.