Associations Between Ethnic Labels and Substance Use Among Hispanic/Latino Adolescents in Los Angeles

Abstract

Self-identification with ethnic-specific labels may indicate successful ethnic identity formation, which could protect against substance use. Alternatively, it might indicate affiliation with oppositional subcultures, a potential risk factor. This study examined longitudinal associations between ethnic labels and substance use among 1,575 Hispanic adolescents in Los Angeles. Adolescents who identified as Cholo or La Raza in 9th grade were at increased risk of past-month substance use in 11th grade. Associations were similar across gender and were not confounded by socioeconomic status, ethnic identity development, acculturation, or language use. Targeted prevention interventions for adolescents who identify with these subcultures may be warranted.

Culture's Influence on Stressors, Parental Socialization, and Developmental Processes in the Mental Health of Children of Immigrants

“…For example, a Mexican American child may identify as Mexican, as American, or as Mexican American (a hybrid identity that is more than the sum of its parts). Although a hybrid identity reflecting biculturalism tends to facilitate positive mental health outcomes (Nguyen & Benet-Martínez 2013), children of immigrants may also adopt negative or oppositional cultural identities, such as cholo or la raza (Unger et al 2014). Specifically, cholo is a term used to describe gang members, and la raza is a cultural identity that represents resistance to discrimination by the dominant group (Unger et al 2014).…”

“…Although a hybrid identity reflecting biculturalism tends to facilitate positive mental health outcomes (Nguyen & Benet-Martínez 2013), children of immigrants may also adopt negative or oppositional cultural identities, such as cholo or la raza (Unger et al 2014). Specifically, cholo is a term used to describe gang members, and la raza is a cultural identity that represents resistance to discrimination by the dominant group (Unger et al 2014). Identifying with oppositional cultural labels may promote more risky behaviors, such as substance use (Unger et al 2014).…”

“…Specifically, cholo is a term used to describe gang members, and la raza is a cultural identity that represents resistance to discrimination by the dominant group (Unger et al 2014). Identifying with oppositional cultural labels may promote more risky behaviors, such as substance use (Unger et al 2014).…”

“…Of these three types of discrimination, everyday and racial discrimination are the two that are most likely to be measured in studies of children of immigrants, with fewer studies focusing on foreigner stereotype. Regardless of the type of measure used, discrimination experiences are significantly linked to mental health problems (Lewis et al 2015, Pascoe & Smart Richman 2009) and to substance use in children of immigrants (Unger et al 2014). In this section, we review studies of children of immigrants to demonstrate the importance of considering the source, timing, and context of discrimination experiences and their links to mental health.…”

Pathway of protection: Ethnic identity, self-esteem, and substance use among multiracial youth

“…Some studies find a protective effect (Richman et al, 2013; Kulis, Marsiglia, Kopak, Olmsted, & Crossman, 2012), while others find that higher levels of ethnic identity lead to higher levels of substance use (Zamboanga, Schwartz, Jarvis, & Van Tyne, 2009). Mixed findings among Latino youth may be due to the heterogeneity of backgrounds comprised within the label of “Latino,” such that Latino populations are almost exclusively lumped into one pan-ethnic category, although evidence suggests differences in both the prevalence of substance use (Carlton-Smith & Skeer, 2015; Unger, Thing, Soto, & Baezconde-Garbanati, 2014) and level of acculturation and ethnic identity (Carlton-Smith & Skeer, 2015; Choi, Sakamoto, & Powers, 2008; Guilamo-Ramos, Jaccard, Johansson, & Turrisi, 2004) between Latino subgroups.…”