Effects of Family Functioning and Identity Confusion on Substance Use and Sexual Behavior in Hispanic Immigrant Early Adolescents

Abstract

The present study examined the relationships of (a) changes in adolescent-reported family functioning and (b) changes in identity confusion to onset of substance use and sexual behavior in a sample of 250 Hispanic adolescents from immigrant families. Adolescents were followed for 3 years. Results indicated that adolescents whose identity confusion scores increased over time were most likely to initiate cigarette use, alcohol use, and sexual behavior during the course of the study. Adolescents whose identity confusion scores remained stable over time were less likely to initiate, and adolescents whose identity confusion scores decreased over time were least likely to initiate. The data were consistent with the proposition that initial levels of and changes in family functioning appeared to be responsible for these associations. Implications for identity research and intervention are discussed.

Notes

^aThis variable was not used in subsequent analyses because it did not evidence significant variability over time, or across persons in over-time trajectories.

^bFor these variables, n = 124 at baseline.

^cThese variables were measured as dichotomous (yes or no) indicators.

*p < .05.

**p < .01.

***p < .001.

^aModel 1 represents the model where only identity confusion trajectory class was allowed to predict the hazard function, whereas Model 2 represents the model where both identity confusion and family functioning were allowed to predict the hazard function.