In a study of African-American (n=119) urban high school students, coping with life stressors was positively and negatively associated with the use of substances. This study focused on how grade point average (GPA), psychological adjustment, and coping styles contribute to the reported use of substances as a way of dealing with stress. The results reveal that African-American adolescents who engage in demanding activities tend not to use substances as a way of coping with day-to-day problems. In contrast, adolescents who engage in diversion, ventilating, and avoiding behaviors as coping mechanisms tend to abuse substances. (Contains 3 tables and 13 references.) (Author/SLD)