Exploring cultural values in alcohol and other drug use among African Australian youth: A qualitative study

The heritage cultural values of Sub-Sahara African (SSA) migrants in the Australian sociocultural context could offer insights into understanding the problem of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use among SSA Australian youth. This study explored the conceptualization of SSA cultural values in Australia, and to establish how they relate to AOD use among SSA Australian youth. Utilizing convenience sampling, one-on-one interviews were conducted with a total of 18 SSA Australians. The participants comprised 9 youth (aged 18-30; 4 females, 5 males), and 9 community leaders (aged 35-74; 4 females, 5 males). Based on a reflexive thematic analysis of the data, three main overarching themes of family, communality, and religiosity were identified as fundamental SSA Australian cultural values, and they are related to predisposing risk and/or protective factors in terms of youth AOD use. While the predisposing risk factors for SSA Australian youth AOD use are related to the thematic values of communality and family, the protective factors for SSA Australian youth AOD use are related to the thematic values of family, communality, and religiosity. The results highlight how SSA immigrants in Australia perceive important aspects of their cultural values in relation to youth AOD use. However, further research into how the endorsement of cultural values by SSA Australian youth contributes to their acculturation and AOD use outcomes is needed to inform tailor-made AOD use interventions.