Mediators between coping styles and substance use/intentions in urban, high school freshmen

Abstract To explore what mediates relationships between coping styles and substance use, different types of coping, proximal precursors of substance use, and reported substance use/intentions to use were examined in a study of low income, urban, high school freshmen from American ethnic minority groups. Regression analyses showed evidence for two mediators. The relationship between a tendency to depend upon parents to cope with problems and increased substance use was mediated by lowered perceptions of harm from use. The relationship between a tendency to use substances to cope with problems and increased substance use was mediated by increased tolerance for and use by friends.