The Role of Family Support and Parental Monitoring as Mediators in Mexican American Adolescent Drinking

Abstract

This study contributes to the current gap in the literature on drinking behaviors among Mexican American youth by exploring the role of family relationships as a mediator against alcohol use. This is a secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative study on Adolescent Health (ADD Health) collected in 1995 and focuses on a sample (n = 1,424) of Mexican American teens across the United States. Analysis of the data utilizes multiple regression to identify risks and protective factors of adolescent drinking in Mexican American youth. The study's implications and limitations are noted and important areas for future research are considered.

RÉSUMÉ

Le Rôle de Soutien de Famille et l'Interception Parentale comme Médiateurs dans l'Adolescent américain mexicain qui boit d'alcool.

Cette étude contribue à l’écart actuel dans la littérature sur boire des comportements parmi la jeunesse américaine mexicaine en explorant relations de famille comme un médiateur contre l'usage d'alcool. Ceci est une analyse secondaire d'une étude nationalement représentative sur Santé Adolescente (ADD Santé) et foyers sur un échantillon (n = 1424) d'adolescence américaine mexicaine à travers les Etats-Unis. L'analyse des données utilise la régression multiple pour identifier des risques et des facteurs protectifs d'adolescent qui absorbe la jeunesse américaine mexicaine. Les implications de l’étude et les limitations sont notés et les secteurs importants pour la recherche future sont considérés.

RESUMEN

Como Contribuye el Apoyo de la Familia y La Vigilancia de Los Padres al Consumo de Alcohol entre Los Adolescentes Mejicano Americanos

Este estudio contribuye a la brecha en la literatura sobre el comportamiento de consumo de alcohol entre los jóvenes mexicano-americano, explorando el papel de las relaciones con familiares como factor contra el consumo de alcohol. Llevamos acabo un análisis secundario de los datos de un estudio representativo a nivel nacional de Salud del Adolescente (Add Health) y se concentra en una muestra (n = 1424) de los adolescentes Mexicanos Americanos en los Estados Unidos. El análisis de los datos utiliza regresiones múltiples para identificar los riesgos y factores protectores del consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes

Keywords :

• Mexican American
• immigrant youth
• alcohol yse
• alcohol and depression
• under-age drinking
• family support
• parental monitoring
• acculturation

THE AUTHORS

Dr. Maria Pagan Rivera, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., is an Assistant Professor at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in the Social Sciences and Human Services Department. She was also the co-founder of the Omni Martial Arts children's program that helps children with learning differences enhance their social skills. Her research interests include the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical practice with immigrant children and families, school social work practice, and substance abuse issues among Latino adolescents.

THE AUTHORS

Dan DePaulo, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of psychology at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. His interests include health psychology, focusing on stress, somatization, and substance abuse. In addition to research and teaching, he has served as a statistical consultant at several universities and Fortune 500 companies.