Title
Identifying potential risk and protective factors among non-metropolitan Latino youth: cultural implications for substance use research
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Date
4-1-2007
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
*Acculturation; Adolescent; Adolescent Psychology; Child; Female; Focus Groups; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Midwestern United States; Risk Assessment; Rural Population; *Substance-Related Disorders
Disciplines
Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
Immigration studies show that the social adaptation of second-generation youth is conditioned by the pace of acculturation among parents and children, cultural and economic barriers, and family and community resources for confronting barriers. This research, however, has primarily focused on the link between acculturation and acculturative stress on Latino adolescents residing in large urban communities. There is a lack of research on the social integration of Latino youth living in rapidly expanding non-metropolitan communities. Consequently, we explored cultural aspects and potential risk and protective factors for early onset of alcohol use for Latino youth. Our findings indicate these rural Latino youth face unique and common stressors compared to urban youth that place them at risk for alcohol use. Cultural expectations surrounding substance use, however, may serve as protective factors to substance use for Latino youth, particularly girls.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Immigr Minor Health. 2007 Apr;9(2):95-107. Link to article on publisher's site
