Mexican-American Youth Drug Use and Acculturation: A Note on the Mitigating Effects of Contextual Dynamics

• NCJ Number: 222689
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: Winter 2008 Pages: 199-214
• Author(s): J. Mitchell Miller; Holly Ventura Miller; Jesse T. Zapata; Zenong Yin
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): R24 DA07234
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study re-examined the relationship between acculturation (blending of the values and patterns of an ethnic culture with mainstream culture) and illicit drug use among a sample of Mexican-American adolescents in South Texas (n=3,186).

Abstract

The study found that Mexican-American students who reported more English language use at both home and school were significantly more likely to have used marijuana in the previous year. On the other hand, Mexican-American students who reported a preference for socializing with Whites instead of other Hispanics were significantly less likely to report marijuana use. Also, higher scores on the language acculturation scale were associated with a greater likelihood of cocaine use, which contrasted with more socially acculturated Mexican-Americans being less likely to report cocaine use in the past year. Gang membership was found to be a more powerful explanation for drug use, both marijuana and cocaine, than the two measured variables of acculturation, suggesting that Mexican-American adolescent drug use is best explained by models that encompass association with delinquent peers. The study participants were 3,468 students enrolled in seventh (n=1,129), eighth (n=1,131), and ninth grade (n=1,208) from 4 middle schools and 2 high schools in South Texas. The schools were located in low-income, inner-city neighborhoods with high concentrations of Mexican-Americans. Students completed a set of surveys conducted with multiple-item questionnaires. Participants reported the frequency with which they had used marijuana and cocaine during the study year. They also answered questions related to two measures of acculturation: language use and socializing with individuals from the mainstream culture. A measure of gang membership was included as well. Demographic variables measured pertained to age, gender, race/ethnicity, and eligibility for free/reduced price lunch. 3 tables and 38 references