Addictive Behaviors
Volume 36, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 381-388

Drinking and driving among immigrant and US-born Hispanic young adults: Results from a longitudinal and nationally representative study (Article)

Maldonado-Molina M.M.* , Reingle J.M. , Jennings W.G. , Prado G.
  • a University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Health Outcomes and Policy and Institute for Child Health Policy, 1329 SW 16th St. Room 5130, PO Box 100177, Gainesville, FL 32610-0177, United States
  • b University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Health Outcomes and Policy and Institute for Child Health Policy, 1329 SW 16th St. Room 5130, PO Box 100177, Gainesville, FL 32610-0177, United States
  • c University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Crimonology, SOC 326, Tampa, FL, 331614, United States
  • d University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Family Studies, 1425 NW 10th Ave., Miami, FL, 33136, United States

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors associated with the initiation of driving under the influence (DUI) among Hispanics in a longitudinal and nationally-representative sample of adolescents and young adults. Specifically, this study tests the effect of demographic variables, individual-level risk factors, and eco-processes (e.g., peer drug use, parental involvement) during adolescence on DUI among Hispanic young adults. Methods: Data were derived from 1734 Hispanic adolescents surveyed for the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Survey logistic regression procedures were used to examine the effects of nativity status on DUI initiation, to evaluate the independent effect of each risk factor (demographic, individual-level, and eco-processes), and to identify whether and to what extent these factors are associated with the initiation of DUI. Results: The overall prevalence of DUI initiation was 18.3%. Differences were observed in the rates of DUI initiation by nativity status: first-generation immigrants reported the lowest rates of DUI initiation (15.4%) when compared with second-generation US-born Hispanic youth (17.4%) and third-generation and beyond US-born Hispanic youth (21.5%). US-born Hispanic youth were also more likely to report higher frequency of alcohol use (t = 3.46, p = 0.001) and marijuana use (t = 2.34, p = 0.021) compared to immigrant adolescents. After adjusting for a number of risk factors, men (OR = 2.86), marijuana users (OR = 1.98), and those who reported feeling safe in their neighborhoods (OR = 2.02) were at an increased risk DUI initiation. Conclusions: Findings provide support for the "immigrant paradox": immigrant youth reported lower rates of DUI initiation and other high-risk behaviors when compared with US-born Hispanic youth. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Author Keywords

Hispanic Impaired Drunk Alcohol drinking driving

Index Keywords

Puerto Rico immigrant Automobile Driving Alcohol Drinking alcohol consumption human Longitudinal Studies drunken driving Substance-Related Disorders cannabis addiction Logistic Models Central America Cuba Hispanic Americans United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors prevalence Article Family Relations Risk-Taking major clinical study adult Social Environment Mexican Americans
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79151480931&doi=10.1016%2fj.addbeh.2010.12.017&partnerID=40&md5=c130e8e8524acfff37f0005f705f4b6b
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.12.017
ISSN: 03064603
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English