Rowan, Zachary R. 2016. “Social Risk Factors of Black and White Adolescents’ Substance use: The Differential Role of Siblings and Best Friends.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 45(7):1482-1496. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0473-7.

This article introduces Zachary Rowan, a professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland. Similar to Whiteman’s article, this study also looks at the connection between substance use and sibling relationships. However, this study differs from Whitemans, as it compares the influence of peer relationships versus sibling relationships on substance use. The findings of this study argue that white youth, compared to Black adolescents, are more likely to be influenced to use substances if they have substance-using friends. On the other hand, sibling substance use, rather than that of a peer, was a strong predictor of Black adolescent’s experimentation with substances. This study is important for our research because it illustrates a way in which Black siblinghood can influence individual sibling behavior. Furthermore, this study evokes many questions about why Black siblings are less susceptible to peer pressure and why their sibling relationship carries more impact. The findings from this study will help us develop interview questions that will allow us to understand the complexity and influence of Black siblinghood. 

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