Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 45, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 118-125

What Accounts for Differences in Substance Use Among U.S.-Born and Immigrant Hispanic Adolescents?: Results from a Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study (Article)

Prado G.* , Huang S. , Schwartz S.J. , Maldonado-Molina M.M. , Bandiera F.C. , de la Rosa M. , Pantin H.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
  • b Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
  • c Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
  • d Department of Epidemiology and Health Policy, College of Medicine, Institute for Child Health Policy, Gainesville, FL, United States
  • e Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
  • f School of Social Work, College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
  • g Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States

Abstract

Purpose: The current study was conducted to ascertain whether the effects of nativity (i.e., U.S. born vs. immigrant) on Hispanic adolescent substance use is mediated by ecological processes such as family functioning, school connectedness, and perceived peer substance use. Methods: The effects of family, peer, and school processes on adolescent substance use were examined in a nationally representative sample of 742 (358 male, 384 female) Hispanic youth (mean age = 15.9; SD = 1.8). Results: Results from a structural equation model indicated that the higher rates of substance use among U.S.-born Hispanics (compared with foreign-born Hispanics) are partially mediated by perceived peer substance use (as measured by the adolescent). The results also showed that perceived peer substance use and school connectedness mediate the relationship between family processes and substance use, suggesting that family processes may offset some of the deleterious effects of negative peer selection on adolescent substance use. Conclusion: These findings imply that public health behavioral interventions to prevent substance use among both U.S.-born and foreign-born Hispanics may need to attend to multiple ecological processes, including family, school, and peers. © 2009 Society for Adolescent Medicine.

Author Keywords

Hispanic Immigrant Nativity Substance use Adolescents

Index Keywords

immigrant family functioning race difference Prospective Studies human Longitudinal Studies birthplace controlled study priority journal Substance-Related Disorders social interaction substance abuse peer pressure Hispanic Americans adolescent health academic achievement interview United States Humans Hispanic Adolescent Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants female Article Family Relations public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67650539569&doi=10.1016%2fj.jadohealth.2008.12.011&partnerID=40&md5=799779ac7353dbd6143fbe633d8dce05
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.12.011
ISSN: 1054139X
Cited by: 73
Original Language: English