Study Suggests Acculturation Impacts Hispanic Adolescents' Risk of Substance Abuse

Research, published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, indicated that higher levels of perceived family cohesion may help decrease substance use among Hispanic adolescents. Acculturation discrepancies exist and may account for increases in Hispanic adolescents' risk of substance use. According to the study, Hispanic adolescents were more likely to report cigarette smoking, alcohol, and marijuana use when they perceived their own orientation toward American culture to be greater than that of their parents.

Many community-based coalitions are striving to find solutions to help youth avoid trying marijuana, alcohol, or smoking cigarettes. The results of this research study could help coalitions become more effective in preventing substance abuse initiation among Hispanic youth in their communities. The May/June 2009 issue of Research Into Action breaks down the findings of the study, "Acculturation Impacts Hispanic Adolescents’ Risk of Substance Abuse", and suggests effective ways to help prevent Hispanic youth from engaging in substance use.

More details on the study and how local anti-drug coalitions can use the study to inform their efforts appears in the May/June 2009 issue of Research into Action. To read further, go to the Research into Action page of CADCA’s National Coalition Institute Web site. The site also features an archive of previous issues in HTML and PDF formats.

Research into Action is a free publication, which reports on research findings that affect the work of coalitions. Published six times a year by CADCA’s National Coalition Institute, each issue examines what coalitions can do to implement knowledge they gain in their communities. Sign up for your free e-mail subscription on the Coalition Resources page of the National Coalition Institute’s Web site.