Migration Intentions and Illicit Substance Use among Youth in Central Mexico

Abstract

This study explored intentions to emigrate and substance use among youth (ages 14–24) from a central Mexico state with high emigration rates. Questionnaires were completed in 2007 by 702 students attending a probability sample of alternative secondary schools serving remote or poor communities. Linear and logistic regression analyses indicated that stronger intentions to emigrate predicted greater access to drugs, drug offers, and use of illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine, inhalants), but not alcohol or cigarettes. Results are related to the healthy migrant theory and its applicability to youth with limited educational opportunities. The study's limitations are noted.

RÉSUMÉ

Les Intentions D'Emigrer et L'Usage De Substance Illicite Parmi Des Jeunes au Mexique Central

Cette étude a exploré le lien entre les intentions d’émigrer et l'usage de substance parmi des jeunes de 14 à 24 ans, habitant un état du Mexique central avec des taux dé migration élevés. Des questionnaires on été complétés en 2007 par 702 élèves fréquentant un échantillon probabiliste d’écoles secondaires alternatives desservant des communautés isolées ou défavorisées. Les analyses de régression linéaires et logistiques ont indiqué que les intentions plus fortes d’émigrer prédisaient une plus grande facilité d'obtention de drogues, d'offres de drogues et d'utilisation de drogues illicites (marijuana, cocaïne, inhalants), mais pas en ce qui concerne l'alcool ou les cigarettes. Les résultats sont liés à la théorie migratrice de la santé et à son applicabilité à la jeunesse ayant des opportunités éducatives limitées. Cette étude a été subventionnée par Arizona State University et NIMHD/ NIH.

RESUMEN

Intenciones de Emigrar y el Uso de Sustancias Ilícitas entre Jóvenes en México Central

Esta investigación exploró intenciones de emigrar y el uso de sustancias entre jóvenes (entre 14–24 años) de un estado central de México con tasas altas de emigración. Los cuestionarios fueron completados en 2007 por 702 alumnos que asisten a una muestra probabilística de escuelas secundarias alternativas que sirven a comunidades remotas o pobres. Análisis de regresión lineal y logística indicó que más fuertes intenciones de emigrar fueron relacionados con más acceso a drogas, a ofertas de drogas, y del uso de drogas ilícitas (marihuana, cocaína, inhalantes), pero no de alcohol ni cigarrillos. Los resultados son relacionados a la teoría de migrantes sanos y su aplicabilidad a la juventud con oportunidades educativas limitadas. El financiamiento fue proporcionado por la Universidad Estatal de Arizona (Arizona State University) y NIMHD/ NIH.

Keywords :

• Mexico
• migration
• drugs
• alcohol adolescents

THE AUTHORS

Dr. Flavio Francisco Marsiglia, Ph.D., is the Distinguished Foundation Professor of Cultural Diversity and Health at the Arizona State University (ASU) School of Social Work and Director of the SIRC. SIRC is an exploratory center of excellence on minority health and health disparities research funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In partnership with other researchers, Arizona school districts, and with support of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the NIH, he has developed and tested keepin’ it REAL, a substance abuse prevention Model Program for middle school students. The manualized and licensed intervention is now being implemented across the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Marsiglia was the Principal Investigator of the NIDA/NIH funded social work research infrastructure center grant, one of only seven such grants awarded to schools of social work. He coordinates an ongoing international scholars’ exchange program at SIRC and conducts research and training in partnership with colleagues in Mexico, Spain, and Tanzania. Dr. Marsiglia has authored and co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, numerous book chapters, and is the co-author with Dr. Stephen Kulis of a book entitled Diversity, Oppression and Change: Culturally Grounded Social Work.

Stephen Kulis, Ph.D., Columbia University, 1984, is Cowden Distinguished Professor of Sociology in the School of Social and Family Dynamics at ASU, and Director of Research at the SIRC at ASU, which is a Center of Excellence funded by the NIH/National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. His research has focused on cultural processes in health disparities, such as the role of gender and ethnic identity in youth drug use and prevention interventions; cultural adaptation of prevention programs for ethnic minority youth; on contextual neighborhood and school level influences on individual level risk and protective behaviors; on gender and racial inequities in professional careers, and the organizational sources of ethnic and gender discrimination.

Carlos Orestes Calderón-Tena, M.A., was born in Mexico City and grew up in Baja California. He attended La Sierra University in Riverside, California, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology, with minors in music education and Spanish literature. He graduated with a master's degree in social psychology at the ASU. He is currently a doctoral student in school psychology at the ASU. Carlos’ research focuses on the intersection of sociocultural and cognitive developmental factors related to psychoeducational outcomes.

Steven Hoffman, M.S.W., is a doctoral student in the School of Social Work at ASU. His dissertation is looking at suicidal ideation and related factors among youth in central Mexico, and some of his research interests include mental health disparities, Mexican/Latino issues, and religiosity.

David Becerra, M.S.W., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Colorado State University. Dr. Becerra has worked with Latino youth and families for several years in San Diego, Phoenix, and Fort Collins. He is the co-principal investigator on federal and state grants to examine and address issues affecting adolescents and young adults in Mexico as well as Latinos in northern Colorado. His research focuses on the adverse affects of poverty among Latinos, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, substance use, and migration and immigration.

Diana Alvarez, M.D., M.P.H., is the Director of the Family Medicine Clinic in Salamanca-Guanajuato-Mexico under the Institute of Social Security and Social Services of the State Workers (ISSSTE). She was one of the co-investigators and the point person in Guanajuato during the field research phase of the study. Dr. Alvarez specializes in designing and evaluating medical services for migrants in Central Mexico.