Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in patterns of risk-taking behavior among Latino adolescents with respect to immigrant status and in comparison to their native non-Hispanic white counterparts. Methods: In fall of 1988 and spring of 1989 a confidential Teen Health Risk Survey was administered to 1,789 students at two high schools in northern California, both of which have a school health center on-site, and which had large numbers of Latino students enrolled. We divided the Latino adolescent population into two groups: Latinos who were born in the United States (native-born Latinos) and Latinos who had immigrated to the United States (Latino immigrants). Eight different risk-taking behaviors were identified for this study: alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, illicit drug use, self-violence, drunk driving, unintended pregnancy, and violence. Results: We found that in general, Latino students engaged in a greater number of risk-taking behaviors than native non-Hispanic whites. The mean number of risk behaviors was highest for Latino immigrants (1.78), followed by native-born Latinos (1.71), and native non-Hispanic whites (.99). A t-test revealed that non-Hispanic whites were statistically different from both Latino populations in their level of risk-taking behavior (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This sample of immigrant Latino students appeared to be vulnerable to engaging in risk-taking behaviors and did not exhibit the anticipated cultural protective factors associated with recent immigrants. The extent and variety of risk-taking behaviors clearly call for the development of culturally sensitive and accessible health education and health care services within a broader array of social, educational and support services. © 1995 Society for Adolescent Medicine.

immigrant status Adolescent risk behavior Hispanic adolescents Latino adolescents

immigrant Automobile Driving regression analysis Alcohol Drinking human Health Behavior risk assessment violence ethnic group priority journal Substance-Related Disorders comparative study substance abuse Self-Injurious Behavior Hispanic Americans smoking Adolescent California male Sex Behavior Chi-Square Distribution female Socioeconomic Factors high risk population Article Risk-Taking Adolescent Behavior Support, Non-U.S. Gov't major clinical study alcohol abuse Emigration and Immigration Contraception Behavior