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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 315-333 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Journal of Primary Prevention |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2009 |
Keywords
- Acculturation
- Acculturative stress
- Ethnic identity
- Hispanic
- Self-esteem
- Substance use
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health