The Relationship Between Youth Substance Use and Area‐Specific Self‐Esteem

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Abstract
A cross‐sectional survey design investigated the relationship of school and home self‐esteem to history of substance use, membership in alternative education (non‐mainstream) school programs, gender, and race. Self‐esteem was assessed using the Hare Self‐Esteem Scale. Four hundred eleven sixth grade students completed the survey. Results revealed home self‐esteem related inversely to tobacco use (F = 15.39, df = 2,343, p < .0001), alcohol use (F = 12.08, df = 2,343, p < .0001), and use of other drugs (F = 12.28, df = 2,338, p < .0001). Similarly, school self‐esteem related inversely to tobacco use (F = 15.47, df = 2,354, p < .0001), alcohol use (F = 8.74, df = 2,353, p = .0002), and use of other drugs (F = 9.30, df = 2,350, p < .0001). Regardless of type of drug, recent users had the lowest self‐esteem scores on both subscales and never users had the highest scores. Subjects enrolled in non‐mainstream programs had significantly lower home and school self‐esteem scores than did subjects in mainstream classes. Race and gender were not associated significantly with self‐esteem. Implications for youth substance use prevention and research are discussed.