Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity as Predictors of Drug Norms and Drug Use Among Preadolescents in the US Southwest

Abstract

This article reports the results of research exploring how ethnicity and ethnic identity may "protect" adolescents against drug use and help them form antidrug use norms. This study was conducted in 1998 and is based on a sample of 4364 mostly Mexican American seventh graders residing in a large southwestern city of diverse acculturation statuses. It aims at testing existing findings by conducting the research within the unique geographic and ethnic context of the Southwest region of the United States. This research examines how strength of ethnic identity plays a distinctive role in drug use behavior among the various ethnic groups represented in the sample: Mexican Americans, other Latinos, American Indians, African Americans, non-Hispanic Whites, and those of mixed ethnic backgrounds. Positive ethnic identity (i.e., strong ethnic affiliation, attachment, and pride) was associated with less substance use and stronger antidrug norms in the sample overall. Unexpectedly, the apparently protective effects of positive ethnic identity were generally stronger for non-Hispanic White respondents (a numerical minority group in this sample) than for members of ethnic minority groups. Implications for prevention programs tailored for Mexican/Mexican American students are discussed.

Consumo de alcohol, tabaco y cannabis en adolescentes de una población multicultural (Burela, Lugo)

“…Los inmigrantes de segunda generación tienden a imitar los valores de los autóc-tonos al haber asimilado sus valores y costumbres (Marsiglia et al, 2004). Algunos autores han señalado el denominado como efecto «White male» (Bachman et al, 2011), refiriéndose al mayor riesgo de éstos en el consumo de sustancias.…”

A social network analysis of substance use among immigrant adolescents in six European cities

“…These findings are in line with studies that have examined the concentration of ethnic-minority students in school settings (school ethnic density). Those studies report that higher school ethnic density is associated with improved mental health (Georgiades et al, 2013;Gieling et al, 2010) and reduced substance use (F. F. Marsiglia et al, 2004) among ethnic-minority pupils. Studies of ethnic density among ethnic-minority adults have also shown that people living among a greater proportion of M A N U S C R I P T…”

Ethnic and American Identity Development: A Developmental Systems Approach

“…With regards to individual dimensions of ethnic identity and with pooled ethnically diverse samples, research has found ethnic identity affirmation to be associated with lower levels of drug use (Marsiglia, Kulis, & Hect, 2001;Marsiglia, Kulis, Hect, & Sills, 2004). These results support the assertion that ethnic identity exploration and commitment to be positively associated with self-esteem in pooled ethnically diverse samples (Umaña-Taylor, Yazedjian, & Bámaca-Gómez 2004, 2009).…”

“…Studies conducted with late Hispanic adolescents have paralleled these findings, detecting a positive relationship between ethnic identity and self-esteem (Bracey, Bamaca-Gomez, & Umaña-Taylor, 2004;Umaña-Taylor, 2004). In stark contrast, ethnic identity has also been found to be positively associated with heavy alcohol use in Mexican-American College Students (Zamoanga, Raffaelli, & Horton, 2006), and with alcohol use in early Hispanic adolescents (Marsiglia, Kulis, Hect, & Sills, 2004 -Taylor & Shin, 2007). However , French, Kim, and Pillado (2006) found ethnic identity exploration to be positively associated with delinquency.…”