Cultural Identity Development, Acculturation, and Unhealthy Risky Behaviors Among Adolescents of Latino Origin: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Degree Granting Department

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Matthew E. Foster, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Linda M. Callejas, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Bruce Lubotsky Levin, Dr.PH, MPH

Keywords

Acculturation, Alcohol, Ethnic Identity, Fighting, Latino, Latine, Substance Use

Abstract

Ethnic identity, a cultural identity component, and acculturation strategies (also known as acculturation patterns) play a significant role in the lives of Latino adolescents in the U.S. and have been associated with unhealthy risk behaviors (URBs). However, research has yet to fully understand the complex relationship between ethnic identity, acculturation strategies, and certain URBs such as fighting involvement and alcohol use. The purpose of this study was to add to the scant research by examining the association between Latino adolescents’ ethnic identity, and acculturation strategies and their impact on Latino youth’ fighting involvement and alcohol use. This study employed correlation and regression analyses to examine existing, publicly available data from The Drug Use and Cultural Factors among Hispanic Adolescents and Emerging Adults (Unger, 2018) to investigate the utility of ethnic identity, acculturation strategies in the prediction of Latino adolescents’ engagement in URBs. SES characteristics and other demographic characteristics were also included in analyses as covariates.The results showed significant negative associations between ethnic identity and alcohol use and fighting, and positive associations between separation, an acculturation strategy, and fighting. Although ethnic identity was not a significant predictor of fighting initially, it became uniquely related to fighting after controlling for covariates. Collectively, these results highlight the complex relationship between cultural identity, acculturation strategies and fighting and alcohol use. In a time where the Latino population keeps increasing in the U.S., understanding the association between cultural identity, acculturation and URBs is crucial for developing effective, culturally appropriate prevention or intervention programs aimed at reducing alcohol use and fighting in Latino youth populations

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