The Role of Emotional Distress in Drug Use Among Latino Adolescents

Abstract

The Latino population is one of the fastest growing populations in the country and, relative to other groups, it is a population which must cope with a number of immigration-related stressors. As a result, Latino adolescents may be at special risk for emotional distress and drug use in Latino adolescents. Comorbidity of emotional distress and drug use, the question of whether emotional distress is an antecedent or consequence of drug use, assessment issues, and the relationship between emotional distress, drug use, and high risk behaviors are among the issues addressed. In a survey of primarily 9th and 10th grade immigrant Mexican students, emotional distress was assessed using three abbreviated scales of depression, hostility, and anxiety based on the Hopkins Symptom checklist, a history of suicide attempts was also assessed. Frequency and quantity of ten substances including alcohol, cigarettes, and hard drugs also were assessed. Most types of drug use were significantly correlated with emotional distress and positive history of suicide attempt. A high frequency of alcohol use and inhalant use were associated with emotional distress and a positive history of suicide attempts. Hostility was most strongly correlated with drug use. It is suggested that hostility as well as moderate to high depression symptom levels be considered risk factors for drug use and suicidality in Latino adolescents. It is also recommended that emotional distress be explicitly addressed in the treatment of drug abuse and other problem behaviors in Latino adolescents.