Acculturation and perceived discrimination: predictors of substance use trajectories from adolescence to emerging adulthood among Hispanics.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have documented associations between cultural factors and substance use among Hispanic adolescents. Negative cultural experiences such as discrimination have been associated with an increased risk of substance use among Hispanic adolescents, whereas positive cultural resources, such as maintenance of Hispanic cultural orientations, have shown protective effects. However, few studies have examined the continuing influence of cultural factors on substance use from adolescence to emerging adulthood.


METHODS
We surveyed a cohort of Hispanic adolescents in Southern California in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, and 3-4 years after high school. Growth curve analyses were conducted to examine the effects of U.S. acculturation, Hispanic acculturation, ethnic identity, and perceived discrimination on change in tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use over time.


RESULTS
Higher perceived discrimination at baseline was significantly associated with a higher intercept (initial level) of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Higher initial level of Hispanic acculturation was significantly associated with a lower slope of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use.


CONCLUSIONS
Cultural phenomena such as acculturation and perceived discrimination can continue to affect substance use through the transition to emerging adulthood. Health education interventions are needed to help Hispanics navigate this developmental transition without engaging in substance use.
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, United States. Electronic address: unger@usc.edu.
Jennifer B
JB
Unger
Center for Family Studies, Department of Public Health Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, United States.
Seth J
SJ
Schwartz
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, United States.
Jimi
J
Huh
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, United States.
Daniel W
DW
Soto
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, United States.
Lourdes
L
Baezconde-Garbanati
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
Acculturation; Alcohol; Cigarette smoking; Hispanic; Marijuana; Tobacco