Acculturation Status and Substance Use among Ethnic Youth:

The Role of Peer and Family

Jaewon Janet BaekNorthwestern University

Summer Undergraduate Research Program at University of Virginia

BackgroundHealth risk behaviors, such as substance use and sexual risk-

taking, are significant contributors to mortality during adolescence and later in adulthood (CDC, 2007)

Foreign-born adolescents report lower rates of substance use than U.S.-born adolescents

However, acculturation is associated with increased substance use for both Latinos and Asians (Hussey et al., 2006)

Limitations of prior findingsMost studies only measure length of residence and language proficiency These acculturation measures do not explain the why or how

Research Question

What social and cultural factors mediate the relations between acculturation and marijuana use? Are the effects similar across different ethnic groups?

Acculturation

Peer norm

Marijuana use

Familial values

Methodology

UCSF Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2008)30-minute online survey603 subjects aged 18-24

White (n=203), Asian (n=206), Latino (n=194)Measures

IV: Acculturation Length of residence, language use, AHIMSA

DV: Marijuana useMV: Familial value, peer norm

Acculturation Level by Ethnicity

Marijuana Use by Ethnicity

Structural Model for Asians

Peer Norm

Marijuana

Use

e4

1

e61

-.21***

Familism

-.19**

e5

1

LOR

Language

Use

AHIMSA

e11

e21

e31

Acculturation

1

-.29***

-.24**

.18**

*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001

Structural Model for Latinos

Peer Norm

Marijuana

Use

e4

1

e61

-.26***

Familism

.065

e5

1

LOR

Language

Use

AHIMSA

e11

e21

e31

Acculturation

1

-.16*

-.17

.25***

*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001

Findings and Implications

The mechanisms through which acculturation increases risk for marijuana use are not the same across ethnic groups

Peer norms emerged as the strongest predictor of marijuana use for all ethnic groups

Prevention/intervention programs should be culturally responsive

Researchers should incorporate social and cultural factors when studying the effects of acculturation

Future Directions

Moderators (i.e. neighborhood context)Different risk behaviors (i.e. binge drinking)Gender differencesLongitudinal study

Acknowledgement

Joanna Lee, Ph.D. (University of Virginia)Ryan Brown, Ph.D. (Northwestern)