Acculturation and Substance Use Among Hispanic Early Adolescents: Investigating the Mediating Roles of Acculturative Stress and Self-Esteem
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2009
Publication Source
Journal of Primary Prevention
Volume Number
30
Issue Number
3
First Page
315
Last Page
333
Publisher
Springer
ISSN
0278-095X
Abstract
We examined the extent to which Hispanic orientation and American orientation are associated with substance use (cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana) both directly and indirectly through acculturative stress and self-esteem. Participants were 347 Hispanic early adolescents (50.7% male; mean age = 12.57, SD = 0.92, range 11-15) from two middle schools in western Michigan. Findings showed that self-esteem emerged as the most consistent predictor of likelihood and extent of substance use. Ethnic identity was positively related to risk for substance use, and acculturative stress and self-esteem mediated the relationships of Hispanic cultural orientation to alcohol use. Self-esteem was the most important protective factor against substance use, and as such, we conclude that prevention programs designed to address precocious substance use that incorporate a self-esteem building component could prove useful among Hispanic early adolescents residing in monocultural contexts within the United States.
Recommended Citation
Published in: Journal of Primary Prevention, Volume 30, Issue 3, July 1, 2009, pages 315-333. Copyright © 2009 Springer, New York, NY. The final published version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10935-009-0182-z
