The Role of Intergenerational Discrepancy of Cultural Orientation in Drug Use among Latina Adolescents

Abstract

The role of intergenerational discrepancy for cultural orientation was examined in the etiology of drug use among Latina adolescents and in the context of family support. Intergenerational discrepancy occurs when a family member of one generation differs from a family member of another generation in cultural identity factors; this is usually manifested in conflict between a first generation child and the immigrant generation parent. It was hypothesized that the Latina adolescents experiencing intergenerational discrepancy might use drugs more frequently than Latina adolescents who were not; and that family support would be an important moderator of the relationship. A sample of 295 ninth and tenth grade Latina students (approximately 80% Mexican-American) from four Los Angeles area schools were surveyed as part of a larger study. In this secondary analysis, a 2 (family support) × 2 (discrepancy) ANOVA revealed that intergenerational discrepancy was associated with more drug use in certain cases, and that family support did not moderate this relationship. Results partially validate and extend a theoretical model presented by Szapocznik and Kurtines (1980), and indicate a need to focus on cultural variables when intervening in drug use/misuse among Latina adolescents.

Key Words:

• Latina
• Drug use
• Feminism
• Family
• Adolescence