Problematic Substance Use Among Hispanic Adolescents and Young Adults: Implications for Prevention Efforts

Abstract

Using data collected between 2005 and 2012 from a longitudinal study of acculturation patterns and substance use among Hispanic youth in Southern California (N = 2722), we fit multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the association of type and frequency of drug use, friend and parent drug use, cultural orientation (measured by the ARSMA-II), and psychological distress (CES-D score) in 10th grade with problematic substance use (measured with the RAPI) in (i) 11th grade and (ii) young adulthood. We conclude that future intervention efforts with Hispanic adolescents and young adults should target polysubstance and problem users and emphasize inter-individual, structural, and cultural processes as they relate to problematic substance use.

Keywords :

• problematic substance use
• drug-related consequences
• acculturation
• Hispanic/Latino
• friend drug use
• parent drug use
• polysubstance use

THE AUTHORS

Timothy J. Halley Grigsby is a doctoral student in Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. His research focuses on adolescent and young adult health behavior with an emphasis in the conceptualization and measurement of problematic drug use as it relates to the progression toward addiction.

Myriam Forster is a doctoral student in Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Her research focuses on adolescent risk behaviors with an emphasis on ecological models of social aggression and interpersonal violence. She has a particular interest in the translation of empirical research findings into prevention strategies for underserved communities.

Daniel Wood Soto is the project manager for three NIH funded longitudinal research studies that focus on Latino adolescent drug use, social networks, and acculturation. He earned his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Mr. Soto's research focus has been in the area of acculturation, social networks, and adolescent health risk behaviors.

Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Her research focuses on reduction of health disparities in diverse populations.

Jennifer Beth Unger, Ph.D., is Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the psychological, social, and cultural influences on health risk behaviors.

Notes

The reader is reminded that the concepts of “risk factors,” as well as “protective factors,” are often noted in the literature, without adequately noting their dimensions (linear, nonlinear; rates of development; anchoring or integration, cessation, etc.)), their “demands,” the critical necessary conditions (endogenously as well as exogenously; from a micro to a meso to a macro level) which are necessary for either of them to operate (begin, continue, become anchored and integrate, change as de facto realities change, cease, etc.) or not to and whether their underpinnings are theory-driven, empirically based, individual and/or systemic stake holder-bound, based upon “principles of faith, doctrinaire positions,” personal truths,” historical observation, precedents and traditions that accumulate over time, conventional wisdom, perceptual and judgmental constraints, “transient public opinion.” or what. This is necessary to consider and to clarify if these term are not to remain as yet additional shibboleth in a field of many stereotypes, tradition-driven activities, “principles of faith,” and stakeholder objectives. Editor's note.

The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.