Associations between network-level acculturation, individual-level acculturation, and substance use among Hispanic adolescents

Abstract

Acculturation is associated with substance use behaviors in Hispanic adolescents. However, there is limited research determining whether the individual’s friends’ acculturation patterns also influence substance use. Tenth-grade students (N = 970) participated in Project RED, a study of substance use and social networks among Hispanic youth in Southern California. Acculturation and substance use data from both the respondent and their nominated friends were regressed on lifetime cigarette use, marijuana use, and alcohol use controlling for sibling substance use, sex, depressive symptoms, and network measures. Respondent’s Hispanic orientation was significantly associated with lower odds of both cigarette and marijuana use, whereas respondent’s friends’ US orientation was associated with higher odds of cigarette use. When controlling for network-level acculturation, individual-level U.S. orientation was not associated with substance use. Participants who nominated more friends had lower odds of cigarette use. Among this sample of Hispanic adolescents, affiliating with U.S.-oriented friends was associated with a higher risk for smoking. Substance use prevention efforts should consider encouraging Hispanic youth to maintain their cultural heritage and foster friendship groups that support abstinence and promote Hispanic and bicultural identity.

Keywords:

• Social network
• acculturation
• Hispanic
• adolescents
• substance use
• marijuana
• tobacco
• alcohol