Psychology of Addictive Behaviors
Volume 28, Issue 4, 2014, Pages 990-999

Pre-to postimmigration alcohol use trajectories among recent latino immigrants (Article)

Sanchez M.* , De La Rosa M. , Blackson T.C. , Sastre F. , Rojas P. , Li T. , Dillon F.
  • a Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • b Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • c Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • d Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • e Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • f Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • g Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States

Abstract

The escalation of alcohol use among some Latino immigrant groups as their time in the United States increases has been well documented. Yet, little is known about the alcohol use behaviors of Latino immigrants before immigration. This prospective longitudinal study examines pre-to postimmigration alcohol use trajectories among a cohort of recent Latino immigrants. Retrospective preimmigration data were collected at baseline from a sample of 455 Cuban, South American, and Central American Latinos ages 18-34 who immigrated to the United States less than 1 year prior. Two follow-up assessments (12 months apart) reported on their postimmigration alcohol use in the past 90 days. We hypothesized (a) overall declines in pre-to postimmigration alcohol among recent Latino immigrants and (b) gender/documentation specific effects, with higher rates of alcohol use among males and undocumented participants compared to their female and documented counterparts. Growth curve analyses revealed males had higher levels of preimmigration alcohol use with steeper declines in postimmigration alcohol use compared to females. Declines in alcohol use frequency were observed for documented, but not undocumented males. No changes in pre-to postimmigration alcohol use were found for documented or undocumented females. This study contributes to the limited knowledge of pre-to postimmigration alcohol use patterns among Latinos in the United States. Future research is needed to identify social determinants associated with the alcohol use trajectories of recent Latino immigrants, as it may inform prediction, prevention, and treatment of problem-drinking behaviors among the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States. © 2014 American Psychological Association.

Author Keywords

Latino Alcohol use Timeline followback Immigration Documentation status

Index Keywords

prospective study educational status immigrant longitudinal study Alcohol Drinking drinking behavior alcohol consumption Prospective Studies human South American Longitudinal Studies sex difference controlled study alcoholism Central American ethnology Hispanic Americans Cuban United States Young Adult income Humans migrant Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female Article Retrospective Studies adult gender Sex Factors retrospective study
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84925619464&doi=10.1037%2fa0037807&partnerID=40&md5=9e25957ff74571e06860e857f7260709
DOI: 10.1037/a0037807
ISSN: 0893164X
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English