Parent-child acculturation patterns and substance use among Hispanic adolescents: a longitudinal analysis

Clinical, demographic factors, and substance use among Hispanic and non-Hispanic young adult childhood cancer survivors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine the protective and risk factors of substance use behaviors (tobacco, marijuana, e-cigarette, and alcohol) among young adult childhood cancer survivors. The study focused on clinical (receipt of cancer-related follow-up care, treatment intensity, late effects, depressive symptoms, self-rated health) and demographic (race/ethnicity, neighborhood socioeconomic status) factors and their associations with substance use.

METHODS

Participants were from the Project Forward cohort, a population-based study of young adult survivors of childhood cancers. Participants (N = 1166, Mage = 25.1 years) were recruited through the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program (Cancer Registry covering Los Angeles County, California). Multivariate path analyses were performed with substance use as the outcome variables and clinical and demographic factors as independent variables. Covariates included age and sex.

FINDING

Substance use was positively associated with depressive symptoms, and inversely associated with cancer-related follow-up care, female sex, age, Hispanic ethnicity, treatment intensity, and self-rated health. Neighborhood SES was inversely associated with tobacco use, while being positively associated with binge drinking and e-cigarette use. The results highlight the interrelationship between the clinical and demographic variables and their associations with different substance use.

CONCLUSION

Findings support the need for effective interventions targeting substance use behavior among CCS. This will help improve long-term outcomes and mitigate the risk for early morbidity.

Impacts of Acculturative, Parenting, and Family Stress on US Born and Immigrant Latina/o/x Parent's Mental Health and Substance Use

Latina/o/x face acculturative stressors which are unique to being an immigrant and/or racial/ethnic minority. Furthermore, Latina/o/x parents face an additional layer of stress related to parenting and family challenges. Little is known about how immigrant and non-immigrant parents cope with stress related to parenting and family stress and how these additional stressors impact parental mental health and substance use. The sample for this secondary data analysis included 1197 parents between 18 and 56 years of age. All analyses controlled for age, gender and number of persons living at home; for the immigrant subsample, we controlled for time in the USA and for the non-immigrant sample, we controlled for generational status. Analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between (1) acculturative stress and mental health and substance use and (2) parenting and family stress and mental health and substance use for immigrants and non-immigrants. Results of multivariate regression models revealed that acculturative stress was significantly associated with mental health, alcohol use, cigarette use, and other tobacco product use for both immigrant and non-immigrants. For both immigrants and non-immigrants, parenting stress and family stress were consistently associated with psychological distress. Parenting stress was associated with greater substance use, including cigarette, other tobacco use, and alcohol use. Given the different associations between acculturative, parenting, and family stress with mental health and substance use among immigrant and non-immigrant parents, family-based interventions should address these stressors to prevent poor health outcomes among Latina/o/x parents and their children.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Acculturation, and Risky Sexual Behaviors in Hispanic Young Adults: Findings from Project RED

While adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are well-documented predictors of maladaptive behaviors in adulthood, including risky sexual behaviors (RSB), the influence of acculturation in this association remains unknown. Although Hispanics are a rapidly growing population in the United States and are disproportionately affected by adverse sexual health outcomes, there is a paucity of research examining the interplay of ACE, acculturation, and RSB in this population. We observed the ACE-RSB association and how this relationship varies across U.S. and Hispanic acculturation levels, in a sample of Hispanic young adults (n = 715). Data for this study were from Project RED, a longitudinal study of Hispanic health. We ran regression models to test associations between ACE (0, 1-3, 4+) and several RSB (e.g., early sexual initiation (≤14 years), condomless sex, lifetime sexual partners, and alcohol/drug use before intercourse), and assessed moderation by U.S./Hispanic acculturation. Compared with those without ACE, individuals with 4 + ACE had higher odds of early sexual initiation (AOR: 2.23), alcohol/drug use before last intercourse (AOR: 2.31), and condomless sex (AOR: 1.66), as well as a higher number of lifetime sexual partners (β: 0.60). For those reporting 4 + ACE, high U.S. acculturation was protective in the association between ACE and using alcohol/drugs before intercourse. Future research implications are discussed.

Impact of Family, Neighborhood, and Schools on Behavioral Health Needs of Justice-Involved Latinx Adolescents

Latinx adolescents are overrepresented in the justice system and have high untreated behavioral health needs. We examined the family as well as promotive and inhibitive environments (i.e., neighborhood and school) and their associations on behavioral health among 181 first-time justice-involved Latinx adolescents. Results showed that more optimal caregiver-adolescent attachment was associated with fewer behavioral health needs; more negative caregiver-adolescent communication with greater behavioral health needs. Increased neighborhood disadvantage and negative school interactions served as inhibitive environments and were associated with greater behavioral health needs. Moderation analyses indicated that negative communication was associated with greater behavioral health needs among dyads with large acculturation differences but not for dyads close in acculturation. Findings underscore the need to assess the family relationships and communication, promotive/inhibitive environments, and acculturation differences when determining how to meet behavioral health needs among justice-involved Latinx adolescents.

The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Problematic Alcohol and Drug Use Trajectories and the Moderating Role of Social Support

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have a strong association with alcohol and drug use; however, more research is needed to identify protective factors for this association. The present study assesses the longitudinal impact of ACE on problematic alcohol and drug use and the potential moderating effect of perceived social support. Data (n = 1404) are from a sample of Hispanic youth surveyed in high school through young adulthood. Linear growth curve models assessed the effect of ACE and perceived social support over time on problematic alcohol and drug use. Results indicated youth with ACE (vs. those without ACE) report more problematic alcohol and drug use in adolescence and have increased rates into young adulthood. Additionally, findings suggest that social support in high school may moderate the effects of ACE on problematic use over time. Among youth with high levels of support, the association of ACE with problematic alcohol and drug use was diminished. Although ACE can have a persistent impact on problematic alcohol and drug use from adolescence into adulthood, high social support during adolescence may mitigate the negative effects of ACE, lowering early problematic alcohol and drug use, offering the potential for lasting benefits.

Triangulation of evidence on immigration and rates of alcohol use disorder in Sweden: Evidence of acculturation effects

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the robustness of the impact of immigration on risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) using different measures, designs, and immigrant regional cohorts.

METHODS

The analytic sample included all individuals born between 1950 and 1990 and registered in Sweden from 1973 to 2017. Using Cox regression models, we examined the risk for AUD from Swedish nationwide registries in immigrants to Sweden from seven geographical regions: Africa, Asia and Oceania, Eastern Europe, Finland, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East/North Africa, and Western countries. We assessed greater exposure to Swedish culture, which we interpreted as increasing acculturation, by (i) comparing first-generation immigrants and their children with no and one native Swedish parent and (ii) examining age at immigration. The baseline comparison group was the native Swedish population. We also examined AUD risk in first-generation sibling pairs discordant for their age at immigration.

RESULTS

In nearly all immigrant cohorts in Sweden, increasing degrees of acculturation, as assessed by both our variables, were associated with rates of AUD that approached those of the Swedish population. These findings occurred in both men and women and both regional cohorts whose first-generation immigrants had lower and higher levels of AUD than native-born Swedes. For most cohorts, the rates of change with acculturation were greater in women than in men. In sibling pairs from most regions, the sibling who was younger at immigration had a higher rate of AUD.

CONCLUSIONS

An examination of both sexes and two different proxies for acculturation provides consistent support for socio-cultural influences on AUD risk. Our co-sibling analyses suggest that a meaningful proportion of this effect is likely to be causal in nature.

Cannabis Use Patterns and Related Health Outcomes Among Spanish Speakers in the United States and Internationally

Cannabis and health research continue to largely ignore the usage patterns, perceptions, and medically related use in Spanish-speaking communities. The primary aim of this study was to collect data among Spanish-speaking communities on cannabis use that specifically characterizes granular demographic information, medically motivated and recreational use patterns including potency of products, medical motivations for use, and what perceptions are held as to risks and benefits. Secondarily, exploratory analyses were made to investigate potential effects of location or acculturation status. Five hundred forty-nine individuals completed the survey, including 294 residing in the United States (US) (M_age =31.8, SD=9.72; 154 women, 137 men, 3 non-binary and self-described individuals), 174 residing outside of the US (International) (M_age =26.6, SD=8.75; 77 women, 96 men, 1 non-binary and self-described individuals), and 81 who did not report country of residence (Unknown location) (M_age =26.7, SD=7.37; 17 women, 61 men, 3 non-binary and self-described individuals). Overall use was mostly recreational, while the US group was significantly more motivated by medical or combined medical and recreational reasons than the other two groups (p=0.02). The most common reason for medical use was anxiety or depression (14% of sample). The US group also smoked or vaporized significantly more often than the other two groups and was more likely to include daily users (p<0.001). The sample generally viewed the effects of cannabis use more favorably than negatively, but there were significant differences in these views between users and non-users. The rich heterogeneity suggested by these data belies the importance of taking an equity focused approach to cannabis research and will help to improve representation in the field.

Acculturation and drinking behavior among Latinxs: a narrative review

Research suggests that acculturation is associated with increased alcohol consumption among Latinxs. The purpose of this narrative review is to contribute to this literature by examining the association between acculturation and alcohol use within current theoretical and etiological frameworks on cultural norms, acculturative stress, and acculturative gaps. This review also compares the utility of these explanatory frameworks for guiding future research. Two databases (PubMed and PsycInfo) were used to identify peer-reviewed studies pertaining to the associations between acculturation and alcohol use among Latinxs. Studies that examined drinking norms, acculturative stress, acculturation gaps, and drinking behavior in Latinxs were included. The types of study approaches and designs included quantitative, qualitative, cross-sectional, cohort, and longitudinal studies published between January 2000 and December 2021. Quality assessment and data synthesis were conducted by two reviewers. A total of 65 articles reporting empirical studies were included in the final review. Eighteen studies did not utilize a specific framework, but generally supported that acculturation is associated with increased alcohol consumption and alcohol related consequences among Latinxs. Additionally, sixteen studies examined cultural norms, twenty-two examined acculturative stress, while only nine utilized a gap discrepancy framework. Studies examining drinking norms appeared to largely explain changes in drinking behavior among Latinas, while studies examining acculturative stress seemed to be better equipped to explain changes in drinking behavior among Latino men. Meanwhile, the Gap Discrepancy Model articulates the gap between old and new cultural influences and can be conceptualized as an additional dimension of acculturative stress.

Meta-Analysis on the Relation Between Acculturation and Alcohol Use Among Immigrant Youth

PURPOSE

We empirically examined the relation between acculturation and alcohol use in immigrant youth, with attention to demographic and methodological moderators.

METHODS

We identified 43 studies (38 empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals and 6 dissertations) yielding 66 independent samples and 118 effect sizes. The total sample size was 61,851 immigrant youth from birth to 25 years of age (M = 937.14, standard deviation = 1,271.24) with a mean age of 15.50 years (standard deviation = 2.46).

RESULTS

The average effect size for the fixed effects model was .04 with a 95% confidence interval of .03-.05, which was significantly different from zero (p < .001). The average effect size for the random effects model was .05 with a 95% confidence interval of .02-.08, which was significantly different from zero (p = .002). Location of the study, age of participants, type of measurements used to assess acculturation and alcohol use, and publication year were significant moderators.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analytic review supported the immigrant paradox in which acculturation puts immigrant youth at risk for alcohol use. Several demographic and methodological factors also moderated this relation in a significant way. Important implications are discussed.

An update on the assessment of culture and environment in the ABCD Study®: Emerging literature and protocol updates over three measurement waves

Advances in our understanding of risk and resilience factors in adolescent brain health and development increasingly demand a broad set of assessment tools that consider a youth's peer, family, school, neighborhood, and cultural contexts in addition to neurobiological, genetic, and biomedical information. The Culture and Environment (CE) Workgroup (WG) of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study curates these important components of the protocol throughout ten years of planned data collection. In this report, the CE WG presents an update on the evolution of the ABCD Study® CE protocol since study inception (Zucker et al., 2018), as well as emerging findings that include CE measures. Background and measurement characteristics of instruments present in the study since baseline have already been described in our 2018 report, and therefore are only briefly described here. New measures introduced since baseline are described in more detail. Descriptive statistics on all measures are presented based on a total sample of 11,000+ youth and their caregivers assessed at baseline and the following two years. Psychometric properties of the measures, including longitudinal aspects of the data, are reported, along with considerations for future measurement waves. The CE WG ABCD® components are an essential part of the overall protocol that permits characterization of the unique cultural and social environment within which each developing brain is transactionally embedded.

Acculturation discrepancy and mental health associations among Hispanic childhood cancer survivors and their parents

OBJECTIVE

Acculturation discrepancy occurs when the rate of host culture acquisition and/or heritage culture retention between non-native parents and their children diverges. The resulting conflict may exacerbate mental health conditions in already vulnerable populations. The present study examined discrepancies between Hispanic and Anglo-American acculturation, as two separate constructs, and mental health symptomology in Hispanic childhood cancer survivors (HCCS) and their parents.

METHODS

Participants were 68 matched parent-child dyads (HCCS (M_age  = 19.4 (2.77) years., 50.0% female); and parent (M_age  = 46.3 (6.07) years., 89.7% female)). Study variables were HCCS posttraumatic-growth (PTG) and quality-of-life (PedsQL); parent posttraumatic stress (PTSD); and parent/HCCS depressive symptoms (CESD) and acculturation orientations. Discrepancy was calculated as the dyadic difference between like acculturation measures.

RESULTS

After controlling for covariates, Hispanic acculturation discrepancy and HCCS psychosocial health (a subset of PedsQL) was negatively correlated (r = -0.26, p < 0.5); while Anglo-American acculturation discrepancy was positively associated with HCCS PTG (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and overall PedsQL (r = 0.24, p < 0.05), and moderated the relationship between parent CESD and HCCS PedsQL.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the two acculturation discrepancy constructs have opposite effects. HCCS losing their heritage culture while their parents simultaneously retain it appears to be a deleterious process; whereas, HCCS learning the US culture more rapidly than parents may have protective benefits. This study has important implications for mental health interventions among HCCS. Findings should be used to inform the survivorship clinical community of the value of acculturation timing and parent/child discrepancy.

Investigating differences in sex, race/ethnicity, and impulsivity across substance user profiles: a person-centered approach

Although substance use is considered normative in college, continued examination of factors associated with problematic use is merited. This study identified latent substance user classes and examined their relations with sex, race/ethnicity, impulsivity-like facets, and substance use outcomes among 702 undergraduate students. Non-Alcohol Abstaining Users (NAA), Minimal Users (MU), and Polysubstance Users (PSU) emerged from latent class analysis. Variable-centered analyses indicated that substance user classes did not differ by sex. Students in the Asian and Other groups were at greater odds of being in the MU class than either NAA or PSU class, compared to White students. Differential patterns of impulsigenic trait levels emerged across latent classes. The present study highlights the utility of integrating person- and variable-centered approaches in studying heterogeneous substance use behaviors among college students. College PSU are particularly at risk for problematic outcomes, thus warranting preventive intervention that may target impulsigenic traits or polysubstance use.

The impact of childhood trauma on substance use trajectories from adolescence to adulthood: Findings from a longitudinal Hispanic cohort study

BACKGROUND

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) are associated with substance use in adolescence and adulthood. However, there is a lack of longitudinal research examining the effect of ACE on substance use trajectories from adolescence through emerging adulthood.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the role of ACE in substance use trajectories among Hispanic emerging adults.

PARTICIPANTS

We surveyed a cohort of Hispanic adolescents (n = 1399) in Southern California across eight survey waves (beginning in 9th grade and continuing through emerging adulthood).

METHODS

Growth curve models were used to examine the effect of ACE on past 30-day cigarette, marijuana, and alcohol use over seven time points, and an interaction term of ACE ∗ time was included to investigate the cross-level effect of ACE.

RESULTS

ACE was a significant predictor at 9th grade across all substances. Every additional ACE was associated with significantly higher past 30-day cigarette use (β = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.10), marijuana use, (β = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.25) and alcohol use (β = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.21). Across all models, cross level interactions between ACE and time indicated that young adults exposed to more ACE experience significantly steeper inclining trajectories of 30-day cigarette use (β = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.02, 0.68), marijuana use (β = 0.07, 95%CI = 0.03, 0.11), and alcohol use (β = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.02, 0.68) than young adults with fewer ACE.

CONCLUSION

ACE continue to have an impact on substance use trends through emerging adulthood. Results highlight the graded effect of ACE on substance use during and beyond adolescence and illustrate that ACE exposure is linked to an escalation of substance use frequency.

Adverse childhood experiences and the substance use behaviors of Latinx youth

PURPOSE

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with substance use, how cultural factors influence this association for Latinx youth is unknown. This study uses longitudinal data to examine associations of cultural factors, ACEs and substance use among Latinx young adults.

METHODS

Latinx youth (N = 1179) completed surveys from a longitudinal study at seven assessment points from 2005 to 2016; ACEs was assessed when participants were on average 21.6 and substance use 23.9 years. ACEs measured psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, parental violence, divorce, substance use, mental illness, and incarceration. A three-stage hierarchical ordinary least squares (alcohol use) and negative binomial regression models (problematic alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use) were estimated to evaluate the role of cultural factors (acculturation, enculturation and ethnic identity) and ACEs in shaping substance use behaviors.

RESULTS

Controlling for cultural variables, ACEs sum (B = 0.03, p = .01), maltreatment (B = 0.16, p < .01), and household (B = 0.12, p = .03) subdomains predicted alcohol use. One additional increase in maltreatment (IRR=1.23, 95 % CI: 1.00, 1.53) predicted 23 % higher count of problematic alcohol use. Maltreatment (IRR=1.50, 95 % CI: 1.05, 2.13) and household (IRR=1.66, 95 % CI: 1.18, 2.32) subdomains predicted increased counts of marijuana use. Four or more ACEs predicted increased counts of tobacco use (IRR=1.49, 95 % CI: 1.08, 2.06) among Latinx young adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest a predictive relationship between ACEs, and alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use, after accounting for cultural factors. Beyond acculturation, enculturation and ethnic identity, findings identify ACEs as a salient predictor of substance use among Latinx young adults.

The Association of the Parent-Child Language Acculturation Gap with Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk in Hispanic/Latino Youth: Results from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth)

BACKGROUND

Hispanic/Latino youth are disproportionately burdened by obesity and have a high prevalence of prediabetes and dyslipidemia. Differences in parent and child acculturation related to language use and preference (i.e., language acculturation) are associated with adverse cardiometabolic health behaviors, but no study has examined associations with cardiometabolic markers.

PURPOSE

To determine whether discordance in parent-child language acculturation (parent-child acculturation gap) was associated with poor youth cardiometabolic health.

METHODS

Hispanic/Latino 8-16-year-olds (n = 1,466) and parents from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth) were examined. Mean scores for the Brief ARSMA-II's Anglo (AOS) and Latino (LOS) Orientation Scales represented language acculturation. Cardiometabolic markers included youth body mass index (BMI) percentile, blood pressure percentiles, and dysglycemia and hyperlipidemia measures. Missing data were imputed. Survey-weighted multivariable linear regression examined the association of youth, parent, and youth × parent (the acculturation gap) AOS and LOS scores separately with each cardiometabolic marker.

RESULTS

Youth reported greater English and lower Spanish use than parents. Greater discordance in AOS scores was associated with elevated BMI percentile only (p-for-interaction < .01). The LOS acculturation gap was not associated with any outcome. Adjustment for acculturative stress, family functioning and closeness, parenting style, and youth's diet and physical activity did not alter findings. Removal of nonsignificant acculturation gaps did not indicate an association between individual youth or parent AOS or LOS scores and any cardiometabolic marker.

CONCLUSIONS

Discordance in Hispanic/Latino parent-child dyads' English use may relate to increased risk for childhood obesity. Future studies should identify mediators of this association.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among 3 Generations of Latinx Youth

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. immigrant paradox shows worsening health across generations, with U.S.-born Latinx having poorer health outcomes than immigrants. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased health risk over the life course, warranting further investigation. This study examines adverse childhood experience distribution across generations in a community sample of first-, second-, and +third-generation Latinx youth.

METHODS

Survey data were collected at 7 timepoints from 2005 to 2016; 1,303 participants completed follow-ups, including adverse childhood experiences, at Timepoint 5 (mean age=21.6 years). These analyses were performed in 2019. Adverse childhood experiences measured psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, and parental domestic violence, divorce, alcohol/drug use, mental illness, and incarceration. Adverse childhood experiences were operationalized as a continuous variable (number) and by 2 groups: household dysfunction and maltreatment. Associations between immigrant generation and adverse childhood experiences were analyzed in adjusted logistic and multiple regression models.

RESULTS

Compared with +third-generation youth, first- (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.27, 0.89) and second- (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.26, 0.72) generation youth had lower odds of reporting household dysfunction. For first-generation youth, this was specific to living with an alcohol/drug user (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.29, 0.81). In contrast to other adverse childhood experiences, first-generation youth had twice the odds of reporting sexual abuse (OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.04, 3.88) compared with +third-generation youth.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventing health disparities among immigrant-origin youth requires understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences on Latinx youth across generations. Results highlight associations among a Latinx youth community sample, suggesting variations in experiences across generations. Household factors in childhood may be key targets for interventions aimed at improving the outcomes observed in later generations for Latinx families.

Acculturation and ethnic group differences in well-being among Somali, Latino, and Hmong adolescents

Research addressing the linkages between acculturation and markers of adolescent well-being across multiple ethnic minority groups is limited in scope and breadth, even though children of immigrant origin are the fastest growing population. We examined cross-sectional relationships between acculturation and substance use, socioemotional well-being, and academic achievement. Somali, Latino, and Hmong adolescents in Minnesota provided data as part of the EAT 2010 (Eating and Activity in Teens) cohort study (N = 1,066). Acculturation was based on nativity, language usually spoken at home, and length of residence in the United States. Chi-square, ANOVA, and regression models were used to test for differences in adolescent well-being by acculturation and ethnic group, and interaction terms were added to models to test effect modification by ethnicity. Hmong adolescents had the highest mean acculturation scores (4.4 ± 1.5), whereas Somali adolescents (2.2 ± 1.8) were the least acculturated. Independent of ethnicity, acculturation was positively associated with marijuana (OR: 1.38; CI [1.25, 1.53]) and alcohol use (OR: 1.12; CI [1.02, 1.22]), and was negatively associated with academic achievement, based on grade point average (β = -0.07; CI [-0.12, -0.03]). Interaction effects indicated significant differences by ethnicity only for academic achievement; significant associations between acculturation and academic achievement were evident only for Somali and Latino youth. Prevention programming should include supports for multilingual and multicultural learners and account for cultural assets within immigrant origin families that maintain and nurture protective factors as adolescents acculturate and transition into young adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The relationships between emerging adult transition themes, adverse childhood experiences, and substance use patterns among a community cohort of Hispanics

BACKGROUND

Emerging adulthood (ages 18-26) is a time of identity exploration, experimentation, focusing on self or others, and instability, themes captured in the Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA). Preliminary evidence suggests that emerging adults (EAs) with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) score differently on transition dimensions than their peers, however, the role of ACE in the IDEA-substance use relationship is unknown.

METHOD

Data are from a longitudinal study of acculturation and health among Hispanics in California (N = 1,065). Multivariable regression models assessed the association between IDEA and ACE (no ACE, 1-3 ACE, and ≥ 4 ACE) for substance use behaviors over 2 time points. Interaction terms assessed whether ACE moderated the association between subjective perceptions of IDEA at age 20 and substance use at age 24.

RESULTS

ACE-exposed EAs scored higher on identity exploration, instability, self-focus, and experimentation dimensions than their peers (ps < .01-.001). Scores on experimentation, identity exploration, and self-focus at age 20 were associated with divergent patterns of substance use across ACE exposure categories. In comparison to other groups, individuals in ≥ 4 ACE group who strongly identified with these transition themes at age 20 had the highest probability of binge drinking, past 30-day alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use at age 24 (adjusted odds ratios = 1.09-1.49, confidence interval [1.02-2.58]).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that ACE can affect subjective perceptions of transition themes and increased risk for substance use over time. Implications for substance use prevention efforts tailored to Hispanic EAs are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Associations between network-level acculturation, individual-level acculturation, and substance use among Hispanic adolescents

Acculturation is associated with substance use behaviors in Hispanic adolescents. However, there is limited research determining whether the individual's friends' acculturation patterns also influence substance use. Tenth-grade students (N = 970) participated in Project RED, a study of substance use and social networks among Hispanic youth in Southern California. Acculturation and substance use data from both the respondent and their nominated friends were regressed on lifetime cigarette use, marijuana use, and alcohol use controlling for sibling substance use, sex, depressive symptoms, and network measures. Respondent's Hispanic orientation was significantly associated with lower odds of both cigarette and marijuana use, whereas respondent's friends' US orientation was associated with higher odds of cigarette use. When controlling for network-level acculturation, individual-level U.S. orientation was not associated with substance use. Participants who nominated more friends had lower odds of cigarette use. Among this sample of Hispanic adolescents, affiliating with U.S.-oriented friends was associated with a higher risk for smoking. Substance use prevention efforts should consider encouraging Hispanic youth to maintain their cultural heritage and foster friendship groups that support abstinence and promote Hispanic and bicultural identity.

The role of perceived discrimination in substance use trajectories in Hispanic young adults: A longitudinal cohort study from high school through emerging adulthood

PURPOSE

Associations between discrimination and substance use have been identified cross-sectionally in multiple populations including Hispanics. However, there is limited research exploring this phenomenon longitudinally in Hispanic youth over the transition from adolescence through emerging adulthood (EA).

METHODS

Hispanic youth in Southern California (n = 1457) completed surveys over 11 years, from 2006 to 2017, including three high school collection waves and five EA collection waves. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between perceived discrimination during high school and cigarette and marijuana use in both high school and EA, controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, acculturation, and EA discrimination.

RESULTS

Compared with those who never used cigarettes or marijuana in high school and EA, perceived discrimination in high school was a significant predictor of two patterns of use: high school initiators who discontinued use of smoking (RRR = 1.677, 95%CI = 1.292-2.176) and/or marijuana (RRR = 1.464, 95%CI = 1.162-1.844), and high school initiators who continued smoking (RRR = 1.492, 95%CI = 1.196-1.861) and/or marijuana use (RRR = 1.249, 95%CI = 1.052-1.482) into EA. For late initiators who did not use in high school but started in EA, perceived high school discrimination was a significant predictor for cigarette smoking (RRR = 1.193, 95%CI = 1.036-1.373) but not for marijuana use.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived discrimination during adolescence is associated with substance use trajectories across both adolescence and EA. Culturally tailored prevention programs that provide training in skills to cope with psychosocial stressors could improve Hispanic adolescent health.

Youth and Caregiver Agreement of Youth Symptoms in Language Concordant and Discordant Dyads: Is Something Lost in Translation?

Caregivers are primarily responsible for seeking care on behalf of youth, so understanding how primary language relates to caregiver–youth agreement of youth symptoms is critical to extending the reach of mental health services. In this study, 145 youth (61% female; ages 12–17 years) and their caregivers, who received behavioral health services at primary care clinics, completed measures of youth symptoms in their primary language. We hypothesized primary language concordant caregiver–youth dyads would show higher agreement when reporting on youth symptoms than language discordant dyads, and youth and their caregivers would show higher agreement when reporting on behavioral (e.g., doing drugs, getting into arguments) rather than on internal (e.g., worrying, feeling worthless) symptoms. Overall, agreement in language concordant dyads ranged from r = 0.551 to 0.615, while in discordant dyads agreement ranged from r = 0.279 to 0.441. Consistent with our hypothesis, language concordant dyads demonstrated significantly greater agreement than discordant dyads for most of the analyses. Contrary to our hypothesis, agreement was similar for internalizing and externalizing symptom clusters. Results suggest primary language differences between youth and caregivers are associated with lower agreement about youth problems; youth generally report higher symptom frequency than their caregivers.

The Role of Familial Incarceration and Ethnic Identity in Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt: Findings from a Longitudinal Study of Latinx Young Adults in California

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults; however, contextual risks and cultural factors are rarely studied in the context of ethnic minority suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal attempt (SA). This study assessed the association between familial incarceration and suicide behaviors and examined ethnic identity as a potential moderator. Data from a longitudinal study of health among Hispanics (n = 1,094) in California were used to test associations between familial incarceration, ethnic identity, and SA and SI, adjusting for demographic factors and covariates. Approximately 18% and 8% of respondents reported SI and SA, respectively. Compared to no incarceration, or the incarceration of a relative, parental incarceration was associated with higher odds (AOR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.23-3.34) of SI whereas higher affective ethnic identity reduced the odds (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31-0.89) of SA. Ethnic identity moderated the association between parental incarceration and SI (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.79). Incarceration of a family member can set the stage for exclusion from critical institutions and can have long-term consequences for adult mental health. Promoting a positive ethnic identity may be a promising prevention strategy that could bolster resilience among at-risk, urban minority youth.

Associations of Multiple Acculturation Domains with Smoking Status among Latino Adults

Few efficacious interventions for tobacco use exist for Latinos. Identification of cultural factors relevant to smoking among Latinos can inform the development of efficacious interventions for Latino smokers. Acculturation is associated with smoking, especially among Latinas, but extant research is limited by operationalization of acculturation with unidirectional, single-domain proxies. We examined associations of multiple domains of acculturation with gender and smoking status among Latino adults. Cross-sectional data from 140 bilingual Latino adults was utilized. Acculturation was measured with the 4 subscales of the Multidimensional Acculturation Scale II (MAS-II). Logistic regression analyses tested interaction effects between MAS-II American and Latino Cultural Identification subscales, English and Spanish Proficiency subscales, and their interactions with gender, on smoking status. Higher English Proficiency was associated with greater odds of being a smoker at Spanish Proficiency scores of 4.5 or higher. Higher Latino Cultural Identification was associated with lower odds of being a smoker among women, but not men. Acculturation toward American culture, per se, may not be a risk factor for smoking; rather, its influence depends on Latino culture maintenance. Unlike in other areas of mental/behavioral health among Latinos, biculturalism may not be protective against smoking. The association between acculturation and smoking among Latinas may be a function of loss of Latino culture identification. Intervention programs should consider targeting these at-risk individuals. Longitudinal work that corroborates current findings and identifies mechanisms underlying these associations is needed.

First-Generation Immigrant Mothers Report Less Spanking of 1-Year-Old Children Compared with Mothers of Other Immigrant Generations

Introduction The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages spanking, especially of infants and young toddlers. This study examines the association between maternal immigrant generation and reported spanking of 1-year-old children, and whether this association is impacted by domestic violence (DV). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis using 1-year wave data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. We used descriptive statistics to explore demographic differences among first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation or higher (reference group) mothers. We conducted logistic regression to examine the association between immigrant generation and spanking, controlling for covariates. We used stratified logistic regression to evaluate how experiencing DV may impact the association between immigrant generation and spanking. Results The study included 370 first-generation mothers, 165 second-generation mothers, and 1754 reference group mothers. The prevalence of spanking differed across immigrant generations (p = 0.004). First-generation mothers had statistically significant lower odds of spanking compared with the reference group (adjusted OR 0.26; CI 0.11-0.64). Second-generation mothers also had lower odds of spanking compared with the reference group, although this result did not reach statistical significance (adjusted OR 0.60; CI 0.22-1.63). Mothers' report of experiencing DV appeared to impact the relationship between immigrant generation and spanking. Discussion First-generation immigrant mothers had lower odds of reported spanking compared to reference group mothers, an association which is attenuated for both second-generation immigrant mothers and mothers who have experienced DV. Future work should explore the potential factors that drive variations in spanking between immigrant generations.

Intragroup xenophobic attitudes, ethnic identity, and substance use among Latinx adolescents

This study examined intragroup xenophobic attitudes, ethnic identity, and substance use (N = 905). Drawing on cognitive dissonance theory, we hypothesized that intragroup xenophobic attitudes among Latinx individuals would be associated with higher levels of substance use (SU) in early adulthood and that ethnic identity would increase the strength of that association. We found that in 10th grade, xenophobic attitudes were higher among respondents with lower ethnic identity, a longer family history in the United States, and less stress. In a longitudinal analysis, SU in emerging adulthood was highest among males, those reporting higher stress in 10th grade, and those with a longer family history in the United States. There was a significant interaction of ethnic identity and xenophobia on substance use (β = -.12, p < .001), indicating that substance use was higher among Latinxs with low ethnic identity who harbor xenophobic attitudes. Findings are explained using system justification theory because intragroup xenophobia appears to operate as a coping strategy that is maladaptive for Latinx individuals reporting low ethnic identity but somehow useful to those with high ethnic identity.

Substance Use Outcomes for Hispanic Emerging Adults Exposed to Incarceration of a Household Member during Childhood

This study investigates whether Hispanic emerging adults exposed to household incarceration before age 18 report higher rates of past 30-day cigarette, alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana use, and negative substance use consequences, relative to participants not exposed to incarceration of a household member. Respondents were matched on key characteristics to create balanced groups of exposed and nonexposed respondents. Negative binomial regression models assessed primary research questions. There were significant long-term associations between household incarceration and the frequency of past 30-day binge drinking, marijuana use, and number of negative substance use consequences. Policies and health programs addressing household incarceration may be a promising prevention approach to reduce negative substance use outcomes among Hispanic emerging adults.

A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of the Associations Between Acculturation and Alcohol Use Outcomes Among Hispanic Americans

Acculturation has been studied as one key sociocultural determinant that helps explain ethnic disparities in alcohol use outcomes among Hispanic Americans. Primary studies and other systematic reviews have found between-study inconsistencies regarding the extent to which acculturation is associated with alcohol use outcomes among Hispanic Americans. To better examine whether acculturation is distinctly linked to drinker status, drinking frequency, volume, intensity, binge drinking, and hazardous alcohol use/drinking problems, and to identify individual and methodological factors that moderate these associations, we conducted a comprehensive research synthesis. A systematic review was conducted on research pertaining to the associations between acculturation and alcohol use among Hispanics. We included 88 independent study samples (N = 68,282) coded from 68 manuscripts published in 1987 to 2017. Standard and robust variance estimation (RVE) meta-analyses were conducted to calculate the correlations between acculturation and overall alcohol use. We also conducted a series of analyses to examine the weighted mean correlations between acculturation and 6 specific drinking outcomes. We found a statistically significant correlation between acculturation and overall alcohol use (r = 0.09, p < 0.001). Acculturation was associated with drinker status (r = 0.10, p < 0.001), drinking intensity (r = 0.09, p = 0.001), binge drinking (r = 0.05, p = 0.006), and hazardous alcohol use/drinking problems (r = 0.06, p = 0.006), but not drinking frequency (r = 0.02, p = 0.56) or volume (r = 0.01, p = 0.73). Gender, acculturation dimension, acculturation domain, age group, and sampling settings were found to explain between-study variability in some of these associations. Findings show small relations between acculturation and various alcohol use outcomes, but the effects are relatively more robust among Hispanic women, adults, and when studies measured U.S. cultural orientation, linguistic acculturation, and behavioral practices.

Cultural Stressors and Depressive Symptoms in Latino/a Adolescents: An Integrative Review

BACKGROUND

Latino/a adolescents experience higher levels of depressive symptoms than Caucasian and African American adolescents. Many studies found that cultural stressors contribute to this disparity, but these findings have not been integrated into a cohesive picture of the specific cultural stressors that contribute to the development of depressive symptoms for Latino/a adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this integrative review is to identify cultural stressors that are associated with depressive symptoms in Latino/a adolescents.

DESIGN

Procedures outlined by Ganong were used to conduct the review. The results of 33 articles that met inclusion criteria were synthesized.

RESULTS

Discrimination, family culture conflict, acculturative and bicultural stress, intragroup rejection, immigration stress, and context of reception were identified as cultural stressors that are associated with depressive symptoms in Latino/a adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should employ strategies to help Latino/a youth cope with cultural stressors and advocate for policies that support the mental health of Latino/a youth.

Assessment of culture and environment in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study: Rationale, description of measures, and early data

Neurodevelopmental maturation takes place in a social environment in addition to a neurobiological one. Characterization of social environmental factors that influence this process is therefore an essential component in developing an accurate model of adolescent brain and neurocognitive development, as well as susceptibility to change with the use of marijuana and other drugs. The creation of the Culture and Environment (CE) measurement component of the ABCD protocol was guided by this understanding. Three areas were identified by the CE Work Group as central to this process: influences relating to CE Group membership, influences created by the proximal social environment, influences stemming from social interactions. Eleven measures assess these influences, and by time of publication, will have been administered to well over 7,000 9-10 year-old children and one of their parents. Our report presents baseline data on psychometric characteristics (mean, standard deviation, range, skewness, coefficient alpha) of all measures within the battery. Effectiveness of the battery in differentiating 9-10 year olds who were classified as at higher and lower risk for marijuana use in adolescence was also evaluated. Psychometric characteristics on all measures were good to excellent; higher vs. lower risk contrasts were significant in areas where risk differentiation would be anticipated.

Longitudinal Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization in Latino Emerging Adults

Despite the prevalence of intimate partner violence in emerging adulthood, literature focused on this life stage among Latinos remains limited. This longitudinal study examined acculturation; traditional gender role attitudes; use of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco; and depressive symptoms in 10th grade as predictors of intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization among Latino emerging adults (N = 823; 58% female). Average age of participants was 15.5 years in 10th grade and 22.7 years in emerging adulthood. The results indicate important gender differences in intimate partner violence outcomes for Latino emerging adults. Higher U.S. acculturation predicted physical intimate partner violence perpetration among young men. More traditional gender role attitudes were significantly associated with psychological and physical intimate partner violence perpetration among male Latino emerging adults. Among Latinas, alcohol use in 10th grade predicted psychological perpetration and victimization in emerging adulthood. The findings have implications for developing gender- and ethnic-relevant prevention interventions focused on intimate partner violence among Latino adolescents and emerging adults.

Pathways linking intergenerational cultural dissonance and alcohol use among Asian American youth: The role of family conflict, parental involvement, and peer behavior

A difference in degree of acculturation between immigrant parents and children, known as intergenerational cultural dissonance (ICD), is a risk factor for adolescent alcohol use. We used path analysis with 292 Vietnamese and Cambodian adolescents from immigrant families in the United States to measure potential mediators (family conflict, parental involvement/monitoring, association with deviant peers) of the ICD-alcohol use relationship. The hypothesized model was an adequate data fit among both groups. Among Cambodian adolescents, higher ICD levels significantly predicted increased family conflict, which in turn was associated with reduced parental involvement/monitoring, increased association with deviant peers, and a subsequently higher risk of alcohol use (p < .05 for all coefficients). We also found significant indirect effects of ICD on alcohol use among Vietnamese adolescents through family conflict and parental involvement/monitoring (p < .05 for all coefficients) but not through peer behavior. For both groups, there was no direct effect of ICD on alcohol use outside these pathways. Identification of significant mediators provides potential targets for preventing alcohol use among these populations. In addition, differences in path coefficients between Vietnamese and Cambodian adolescents underscore the importance of conducting analyses stratified by Asian ethnic group.

"We would never forget who we are": resettlement, cultural negotiation, and family relationships among Somali Bantu refugees

Somali refugees are resettling in large numbers in the US, but little is known about the Somali Bantu, an ethnic minority within this population. Refugee youth mental health is linked to the functioning of the larger family unit. Understanding how the process of culturally adjusting to life after resettlement relates to family functioning can help identify what kind of interventions might strengthen families and lead to better mental health outcomes for youth. This paper seeks to address the following research questions: (1) How do different groups of Somali Bantu refugees describe their experiences of culturally adapting to life in the US?; and (2) How, if at all, do processes of cultural adaptation in a new country affect Somali Bantu family functioning? We conducted 14 focus groups with a total of 81 Somali Bantu refugees in New England. Authors analyzed focus groups using principles of thematic analysis to develop codes and an overarching theoretical model about the relationship between cultural adaptation, parent-child relationships, and family functioning. Views and expectations of parent-child relationships were compared between Somali Bantu youth and adults. Cultural negotiation was dependent upon broader sociocultural contexts in the United States that were most salient to the experience of the individual. Adult and youth participants had conflicting views around negotiating Somali Bantu culture, which often led to strained parent-child relationships. In contrast, youth sibling relationships were strengthened, as they turned to each other for support in navigating the process of cultural adaptation.

Acculturation Gap Distress among Latino Youth: Prospective Links to Family Processes and Youth Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol Use, and Academic Performance

Latino youth have higher rates of educational and mental health difficulties compared to peers from other racial/ethnic groups. To understand the factors related to such maladjustment, a mediational model linking youth report of parent-youth acculturation gaps to prospective changes (from spring to fall semester) in youth report of academic performance, depressive symptoms and alcohol use via youth report of parent-youth conflict and family cohesion, was studied in a sample of 248 U.S.-and foreign-born Latino youth (Mage = 15.21 years; 50% female; 67% U.S.-born). Parent-youth acculturation gaps were associated with changes in youth academic performance across two semesters via their negative impact on family functioning. For U.S.-born youth, parent-youth acculturation gaps were also linked to changes in alcohol use via parent-adolescent conflict. Results provide some support for the acculturative gap hypotheses while unique findings across nativity groups suggest that such individual-level characteristics may serve as important sources of variation for Latino youth.

Affective decision-making moderates the effects of automatic associations on alcohol use among drug offenders

BACKGROUND

This study used a dual-process model of cognition in order to investigate the possible influence of automatic and deliberative processes on lifetime alcohol use in a sample of drug offenders.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to determine if automatic/implicit associations in memory can exert an influence over an individual's alcohol use and if decision-making ability could potentially modify the influence of these associations.

METHODS

168 participants completed a battery of cognitive tests measuring implicit alcohol associations in memory (verb generation) as well as their affective decision-making ability (Iowa Gambling Task). Structural equation modeling procedures were used to test the relationship between implicit associations, decision-making, and lifetime alcohol use.

RESULTS

Results revealed that among participants with lower levels of decision-making, implicit alcohol associations more strongly predicted higher lifetime alcohol use.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide further support for the interaction between a specific decision function and its influence over automatic processes in regulating alcohol use behavior in a risky population. Understanding the interaction between automatic associations and decision processes may aid in developing more effective intervention components.

Alcohol use among recent immigrant Latino/a youth: acculturation, gender, and the Theory of Reasoned Action

OBJECTIVE

Latino/a youth are at risk for alcohol use. This risk seems to rise with increasing US cultural orientation and decreasing Latino cultural orientation, especially among girls. To ascertain how acculturation may influence Latino/a youth alcohol use, we integrated an expanded multi-domain model of acculturation with the Theory of Reasoned Action.

DESIGN

Participants were 302 recent Latino/a immigrant youth (141 girls, 160 boys; 152 from Miami, 150 from Los Angeles) who completed surveys at 4 time points. Youth completed measures of acculturation, attitudes toward drinking, perceived subjective norms regarding alcohol use, intention to drink, and alcohol use.

RESULTS

Structural equation modeling indicated that collectivistic values predicted more perceived disapproval of drinking, which negatively predicted intention to drink. Intention to drink predicted elevated alcohol use.

CONCLUSION

Although the association between collectivistic values and social disapproval of drinking was relatively small (β = .19, p < .05), findings suggest that collectivistic values may help protect Latino/a immigrant youth from alcohol use by influencing their perceived social disapproval of drinking, leading to lower intention to drink. Educational preventive interventions aimed at reducing or preventing alcohol use in recent Latino/a immigrant youth could promote collectivistic values and disseminate messages about the negative consequences of drinking.

Reconsidering the "acculturation gap" narrative through an analysis of parent-adolescent acculturation differences in Mexican American families

Using a sample of 193 Mexican American adolescents (M age at Wave 1 = 14) and three waves of data over two years, this study longitudinally examined the effects of parent-youth acculturation differences, relative to no differences, on parent-adolescent relationship quality and youth problem behavior. We examined parent-youth differences in overall acculturation, Mexican acculturation, and American acculturation. We differentiated between cases in which the adolescent was more acculturated than the parent and cases in which the parent was more acculturated than the adolescent. Adolescents were more commonly similar to their parents than different. Where differences existed, adolescents were not uniformly more American than their parents, no type of difference was associated with parent-adolescent relationship quality, and no type of difference in overall acculturation was associated with youth problem behavior. One type of difference by dimension (adolescent had less Mexican acculturation than mother) was associated with less risk of problem behavior.

A Longitudinal Test of the Parent-Adolescent Family Functioning Discrepancy Hypothesis: A Trend toward Increased HIV Risk Behaviors Among Immigrant Hispanic Adolescents

Parent-adolescent discrepancies in family functioning play an important role in HIV risk behaviors among adolescents, yet longitudinal research with recent immigrant Hispanic families remains limited. This study tested the effects of trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning discrepancies on HIV risk behaviors among recent-immigrant Hispanic adolescents. Additionally, we examined whether and to what extent trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning discrepancies vary as a function of gender. We assessed family functioning of 302 Hispanic adolescents (47 % female) and their parent (70 % female) at six time points over a three-year period and computed latent discrepancy scores between parent and adolescent reports at each timepoint. Additionally, adolescents completed measures of sexual risk behaviors and alcohol use. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to determine the feasibility of collapsing parent and adolescent reported family functioning indicators onto a single latent discrepancy variable, tested model invariance over time, and conducted growth mixture modeling (GMM). GMM yielded a three-class solution for discrepancies: High-Increasing, High-Stable, and Low-Stable. Relative to the Low-Stable class, parent-adolescent dyads in the High-Increasing and High-Stable classes were at greater risk for adolescents reporting sexual debut at time 6. Additionally, the High-Stable class was at greater risk, relative to the Low-Stable class, in terms of adolescent lifetime alcohol use at 30 months post-baseline. Multiple group GMM indicated that trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning trajectories did not vary by gender. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Testing the Parent-Adolescent Acculturation Discrepancy Hypothesis: A Five-Wave Longitudinal Study

This 2½-year, 5-wave longitudinal study tests the hypothesis that acculturation discrepancies between Hispanic immigrant parents and adolescents would lead to compromised family functioning, which would then lead to problematic adolescent outcomes. Recent-immigrant Hispanic parent-adolescent dyads (N = 302) completed measures of acculturation and family functioning. Adolescents completed measures of positive youth development, depressive symptoms, problem behavior, and substance use. Results indicated that Time 1 discrepancies in Hispanic-culture retention, and linear trajectories in some of these discrepancies, negatively predicted adolescent positive youth development, and positively predicted adolescent depressive symptoms and binge drinking, indirectly through adolescent-reported family functioning. The vast majority of effects were mediated rather than direct, supporting the acculturation discrepancy hypothesis. Implications for further research and intervention are discussed.

Differences in Acculturation and Trajectories of Anxiety and Alcohol Consumption Among Latina Mothers and Daughters in South Florida

This study documents generational differences in the impact of acculturation related factors on anxiety and alcohol use behaviors between adult Latino mothers and adult daughters. Findings indicate that for mothers (n = 144) and daughters (n = 149), self-reported anxiety levels decreased from baseline to follow up (p = 0.001). For mothers at follow up (n = 147), results indicate that affiliation to Latino culture is negatively associated with anxiety (p = 0.018). Conversely, employment and partner relationship stress are positively associated with anxiety (p = 0.05 and p = 0.016 respectively). In addition, self-reported anxiety is positively associated with alcohol intake (p = 0.002) and employment (p = 0.007). For daughters(n = 149), partner relationship stressors, anxiety and alcohol intake decreased significantly from baseline to follow up at a p = 0.01, p = 0.01, p = 0.05 respectively. In addition, for daughters at baseline (n = 160), affiliation to U.S. culture is positively associated with self-reported anxiety (p = 0.01). Employment is negatively associated with alcohol consumption (p = 0.027). At follow up (n = 152), daughters' partner relationship stress is positively associated with self- reported anxiety (p = 0.049). Findings in this study can be used to develop culturally appropriate interventions, support groups and individual therapy sessions by taking into consideration generational differences among Latino women.

Role transitions and substance use among Hispanic emerging adults: A longitudinal study using coarsened exact matching

INTRODUCTION

Emerging adulthood (ages 18 to 25) is characterized by changes in relationships, education, work, and viewpoints on life. The prevalence of substance use also peaks during this period. Among emerging adults, Hispanics have a unique substance use profile, and have been described as a priority population for substance use prevention. Cross-sectional studies among Hispanics have shown that specific role transitions (e.g., starting or ending romantic relationships) were associated with substance use. Negative affect from uncertainty/stress that accompanies role transitions in emerging adulthood may lead to substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism. Longitudinal studies are needed to gain a more complete understanding of these associations.

METHODS

Participants completed surveys for Project RED, a longitudinal study of substance use among Hispanics in Southern California. This study used Coarsened Exact Matching to overcome the methodological limitations of previous studies. Participants were matched on pretreatment variables including age, gender, substance use behavior in high school, and depressive symptoms. Past-month cigarette use, binge drinking, marijuana use, and hard drug use were the outcomes of interest. After matching, each outcome was regressed on each individual role transition in year one of emerging adulthood with this process repeated in year two of emerging adulthood.

RESULTS

Role transitions in romance and work were positively associated with multiple categories of substance use.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention programs should teach emerging adults ways to cope with the stress from role transitions. Individual role transitions may be used to screen for subgroups of emerging adults at high risk for substance use.

The Impact of Intergenerational Cultural Dissonance on Alcohol Use Among Vietnamese and Cambodian Adolescents in the United States

PURPOSE

Rates of alcohol use may be increasing among Asian-American adolescents. Among youth from Asian-immigrant families, intergenerational cultural dissonance (ICD), a difference in acculturation between children and caregivers, is associated with adverse childhood outcomes. This study investigates the longitudinal association of ICD and alcohol use among youth from immigrant Vietnamese and Cambodian families in the United States.

METHODS

Two waves of annual data, wave 4 (baseline for this study) and wave 5 (follow-up), were obtained from the Cross-Cultural Families Project, a longitudinal study of 327 Vietnamese and Cambodian immigrant families in Washington State. The Asian-American Family Conflicts Scale was used to measure ICD. Adolescent alcohol use was measured as any drinking in the past 30 days. A multiple logistic regression model was estimated with the outcome, alcohol use, measured at the follow-up visit and all predictors, including ICD, measured at baseline. Sex, nationality, nativity, and acculturation were tested as modifiers of the ICD-alcohol use relationship.

RESULTS

Nine percent of adolescents (age range 13-18 years) reported alcohol use at baseline and this increased significantly (p < .0001) to 16% one year later. ICD was associated with increased odds of alcohol use at follow-up (odds ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.41; p = .04). None of the interactions were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

ICD is a significant predictor of alcohol use among Vietnamese and Cambodian adolescents. Interventions that should be targeted toward reducing ICD through enhancing parent-child communication and teaching bicultural competence skills may help prevent alcohol use problems among youth from immigrant families.

Under-Researched Demographics: Heavy Episodic Drinking and Alcohol-Related Problems Among Asian Americans

Asian Americans represent the fastest- growing population in the United States (Le 2010). At the same time, there is evidence that problematic drinking rates are increasing among young-adult Asian Americans (Grant et al. 2004). Accordingly, it is essential to understand the etiological determinants and mechanisms of risk that may help explain this growth in problematic alcohol use among this group. The high prevalence of the ALDH2*2 and ADH1B*2 alleles in a large percentage of Asian subgroups has been studied as a potential protective factors against alcohol abuse, yet some individuals who possess these genes still engage in problematic alcohol use (Wall et al. 2001). Other social and psychological factors may account for this discrepancy. Thus, some factors, such as negative physiological alcohol expectancies, are protective against alcohol abuse in this population (Hendershot et al. 2009). Sociocultural factors such as acculturation and nativity also may help explain drinking patterns among this group. The literature suggests that vast and significant within-group differences exist among Asian Americans, such that individuals who were born in the United States and/or are more acculturated are at elevated risk for alcohol abuse and related problems (Hahm et al. 2003). Differences also have been observed among Asian-American ethnic subgroups, with some groups (e.g., Japanese, Korean, and multi-Asian Americans) reporting higher rates of drinking compared with others (e.g., Chinese and Vietnamese Americans) (Iwamoto et al. 2012). Furthermore, Asian Americans who report higher levels of depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and perceived discrimination seem to be at a heightened risk for abusing alcohol (Iwamoto et al. 2011a; Nishimura et al. 2005; Yoo et al. 2010). Finally, an emerging body of research examining gender-relevant factors, including feminine and masculine norms, may help explain within-group differences among Asian-American women and men. Thus, traditional norms that may directly pertain to hyperfemininzed Asian-American women, including modesty and sexual fidelity, may protect against heavy episodic drinking (Young et al. 2005). Conversely, the risk for heavy episodic drinking may be enhanced in men who strive to demonstrate traditional notions of masculinity through risk-taking and endorsement of playboy norms (Iwamoto et al. 2010). Although this review has illustrated the contemporary state of research on alcohol use among Asian Americans, it also highlights the significant limitations in this literature. Many of the studies reviewed here have used cross-sectional data, which do not allow researchers to infer causality between the various sociocultural factors and problematic alcohol use. One way of addressing this gap in the existing literature may be to implement longitudinal designs to further understand how the temporal relationship between sociocultural factors, including acculturation and gender norms, may impact alcohol use and alcohol-related problem trajectories. There also is a pressing need to develop greater understanding of within-group differences among U.S.-born and foreign-born Asian Americans as well as among as specific ethnic groups. To date, epidemiological research has largely neglected to examine these significant discrepancies. Given the growing prevalence of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among Asian-American women (Grant et al. 2004; Iwamoto et al. 2010), studies also should focus on this group and explore how the intersection of gender and culture may influence alcohol use. Finally, the majority of research on this population has been conducted in college samples; therefore, it is important to also examine community samples, including U.S.-born young adults who are not attending college and older adult Asian-American populations.

Profiles of bullying victimization, discrimination, social support, and school safety: Links with Latino/a youth acculturation, gender, depressive symptoms, and cigarette use

Latino/a youth are at risk for symptoms of depression and cigarette smoking but this risk varies by acculturation and gender. To understand why some youth are at greater risk than others, we identified profiles of diverse community experiences (perceived discrimination, bullying victimization, social support, perceived school safety) and examined associations between profiles of community experience and depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, acculturation, and gender. Data came from Project Red (Reteniendo y Entendiendo Diversidad para Salud), a school-based longitudinal study of acculturation among 1,919 Latino/a adolescents (52% female; 84% 14 years old; 87% U.S. born). Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed 4 distinct profiles of community experience that varied by gender and acculturation. Boys were overrepresented in profile groups with high perceived discrimination, some bullying, and lack of positive experiences, while girls were overrepresented in groups with high bullying victimization in the absence and presence of other community experiences. Youth low on both U.S. and Latino/a cultural orientation described high perceived discrimination and lacked positive experiences, and were predominantly male. Profiles characterized by high perceived discrimination and /or high bullying victimization in the absence of positive experiences had higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher risk of smoking, relative to the other groups. Findings suggest that acculturation comes with diverse community experiences that vary by gender and relate to smoking and depression risk. Results from this research can inform the development of tailored intervention and prevention strategies to reduce depression and/or smoking for Latino/a youth.

The "immigrant paradox" phenomenon: assessing problem behaviors and risk factors among immigrant and native adolescents

We investigated the "immigrant paradox" phenomenon by examining differences in problem behavior engagement and exposure to risk factors across four adolescent groups: 1,157 first-generation, 1,498 second-generation, and 3,316 White and minority third or higher generations. Latent mean differences in problem behavior engagement (i.e., academic failure, aggression, and substance use) and risk factors (i.e., low socioeconomic status, poor family relationship, and low sense of school belonging) were associated with significant differences across adolescent groups. Results supported the generational status effect by demonstrating sequentially greater adolescent problem behavior engagement. However, the difference in exposure to risk factors across adolescent groups only partially supported the immigrant paradox. Further, the multiple group analysis of the relationships between risk factors and engagement in problem behaviors showed increased susceptibility among second generation immigrants for substance use, White natives for academic failure and substance use, and minority natives for physical aggression. Study findings have implications for understanding how the immigrant paradox leads to different adjustment patterns and problem behavior manifestations among immigrant and native adolescents.

Adverse childhood experiences and substance use among Hispanic emerging adults in Southern California

INTRODUCTION

Emerging adults who experienced stressful childhoods may engage in substance use as a maladaptive coping strategy. Given the collectivistic values Hispanics encounter growing up, adverse childhood experiences may play a prominent role in substance use decisions as these events violate the assumptions of group oriented cultural paradigms. Alternatively, adverse childhood events might not increase the risk of substance use because strong family ties could mitigate the potential maladaptive behaviors associated with these adverse experiences. This study examined whether adverse childhood experiences were associated with substance use among Hispanic emerging adults.

METHOD

Participants (n = 1420, mean age = 22, 41% male) completed surveys indicating whether they experienced any of 8 specific adverse experiences within their first 18 years of life, and past-month cigarette use, marijuana use, hard drug use, and binge drinking. Logistic regression models examined the associations between adverse childhood experiences and each category of substance use, controlling for age, gender, and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

The number of adverse childhood experiences was significantly associated with each category of substance use. A difference in the number of adverse childhood experiences, from 0 to 8, was associated with a 22% higher probability of cigarette smoking, a 24% higher probability of binge drinking, a 31% higher probability of marijuana use, and a 12% higher probability of hard drug use respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings should be integrated into prevention/intervention programs in hopes of quelling the duration and severity of substance use behaviors among Hispanic emerging adults.

Acculturation and Latino adolescent mental health: integration of individual, environmental, and family influences

In order to address the mental health disparities that exist for Latino adolescents in the United States, psychologists must understand specific factors that contribute to the high risk of mental health problems in Latino youth. Given the significant percentage of Latino youth who are immigrants or the children of immigrants, acculturation is a key factor in understanding mental health among this population. However, limitations in the conceptualization and measurement of acculturation have led to conflicting findings in the literature. Thus, the goal of the current review is to examine and critique research linking acculturation and mental health outcomes for Latino youth, as well as to integrate individual, environmental, and family influences of this relationship. An integrated theoretical model is presented and implications for clinical practice and future directions are discussed.