Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 39, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 211-237

Cultural Correlates of DUI Risk Perceptions Among Documented and Undocumented Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida (Article)

Sanchez M.* , Romano E. , Dawson C. , Rojas P. , Martinez M. , Li T. , Cyrus E. , De La Rosa M.
  • a Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
  • b Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, MD, United States
  • c Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
  • d Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
  • e University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
  • f Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
  • g Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
  • h Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States

Abstract

Latinos do not drink and drive more often than non-Latino Whites, yet are disproportionately involved in alcohol-related arrests and fatal crashes. These disparities have been linked to a failure in recognizing the impairing effects of alcohol on driving psychomotor abilities and low risk perceptions of being caught or prosecuted by law enforcement for DUI (driving under the influence). However, little is known about the role that cultural factors play in shaping drinking and driving risk perceptions among Latino immigrants. This study examines associations between cultural factors and DUI risk perceptions in a sample of 467 documented and undocumented recent Latino immigrants. Results revealed cultural risk factors were associated with higher alcohol use and decreased DUI risk perceptions. Cultural protective factors were linked with less drinking behaviors. Undocumented immigrants reported higher rates of alcohol use, lower levels of cultural protective factors, and higher levels of cultural risk factors. Findings contribute to the limited knowledge of drinking and driving among Latino immigrants early in the immigration process and suggest a need for greater attention to cultural factors in developing DUI prevention programs tailored toward Latino immigrants. © The Author(s) 2017.

Author Keywords

Cultural Factors Risk perceptions Latino/a immigrants Drinking and driving

Index Keywords

perception human risk factor drinking behavior attention cultural factor alcohol consumption Florida immigration undocumented immigrant Hispanic
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018445474&doi=10.1177%2f0739986317698777&partnerID=40&md5=a85da6c94c49ce8a360c0812a801d5f9
DOI: 10.1177/0739986317698777
ISSN: 07399863
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English