Alcohol use and problems among Latinas at risk of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy: The role of acculturation and interpersonal factors

Abstract

Path analysis was used to examine the role of acculturation, helping relationships, partner status, age, and education on heavy drinking and alcohol problems among 119 Latina adults at risk of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP). Greater acculturation was positively related to more helping relationships and heavy drinking, and there was an indirect positive relationship between acculturation and alcohol problems. There was also a positive relationship between helping relationships and alcohol problems, and a negative relationship between helping relationships and being partnered. Knowledge of the mechanisms by which acculturation and interpersonal factors influence behavior change can inform potential targets for intervention among Latinas with AEP risk.

Keywords:

• Acculturation
• alcohol-exposed pregnancy
• interpersonal relationships
• Latinas

Disclosure statement

The authors report no known conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement U84DD000438 (Velasquez) and a Research Supplement to Promote Diversity by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism R01AA022924 (Velasquez). The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health.