Perceived Discrimination and Substance Use among Latino Adolescents

Authors: Okamoto, Janet; Ritt-Olson, Anamara; Soto, Daniel; Baezconde-Garbanati, Lourdes; Unger, Jennifer B.

Source: American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 33, Number 6, November 2009 , pp. 718-727(10)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $33.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Objective: To examine perceived discrimination and substance use among Latino high school students.

Methods: Latino 9^th graders (N 1332) completed self-report measures of perceived discrimination and substance use behavior.

Results: Perceived discrimination was associated with lifetime use measures of smoking (OR 1.73, P < 0.01), alcohol (OR 1.53, P < 0.01), marijuana (OR 1.70, P < 0.01), and inhalants (OR 1.50, P < 0.05); and past 30 day measures of smoking (OR 2.54, P < 0.01), alcohol (OR 1.63, P < 0.01), marijuana (OR 1.95, P < 0.01), and inhalants (OR 1.64, P < 0.01), and binge drinking (OR 1.84, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Latino adolescents who have higher perceptions of discrimination are at risk for substance use. Interventions to help Latino adolescents cope with feelings of discrimination may be a useful addition to substance use prevention programs.

Keywords: Latino; adolescent; substance use; discrimination

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.33.6.9

Affiliations: 1: 1 Doctoral Student, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Alhambra CA.

Publication date: 2009-11-01

More about this publication?

The American Journal of Health Behavior seeks to improve the quality of life through multidisciplinary health efforts in fostering a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of both individuals and social systems as they relate to health behaviors.

The Journal aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of personal attributes, personality characteristics, behavior patterns, social structure, and processes on health maintenance, health restoration, and health improvement; to disseminate knowledge of holistic, multidisciplinary approaches to designing and implementing effective health programs; and to showcase health behavior analysis skills that have been proven to affect health improvement and recovery.
Editorial Board
Information for Authors
Submit a Paper
Subscribe to this Title
Review Board
Reprints and Permissions
ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Perceived Discrimination and Substance Use among Latino Adolescents

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages