Alcohol use among Hispanic early adolescents in the United States: an examination of behavioral risk and protective profiles.
Few studies have examined the behavioral and protective correlates of alcohol use among young Hispanics. Using a national sample (N = 7,606), logistic regression and latent profile analysis (LPA) are employed to examine the relationships between alcohol use, psychosocial factors, and externalizing behavior among Hispanics during early adolescence. Early drinkers are more likely to report truancy, fighting, smoking, and drug use. LPA results revealed a three class solution. Classes identified included: psychosocial risk (41.11%), moderate protection (39.44%), and highly religious (19.44%). Alcohol use is clearly associated with externalizing behavior; however, an important degree of psychosocial and behavioral heterogeneity nevertheless exists.
1School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
Christopher P
CP
Salas-Wright
Lynn
L
Hernandez
Brandy R
BR
Maynard
Leia Y
LY
Saltzman
Michael G
MG
Vaughn
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000374:Aggression; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D065840:Protective Factors; D012067:Religion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*