I've Learned So Much from My Mother: Narratives from a Group of Chicana High School Students

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Marsiglia

Lingard

et al. 2008

This study explored relationships between several hypothesized dimensions of gender identity and substance use outcomes within a non-probability sample of adolescents in Monterrey, Mexico. Based on Mexican concepts of machismo and marianismo, four gender identity constructs were measured: aggressive masculinity, assertive masculinity, affective femininity and submissive femininity. The study assessed how well these gender identity measures predicted substance use behaviors, substance use intentions, expectancies, and normative approval, and exposure and vulnerability to substance offers. Data were drawn from questionnaires completed by 327 students from 2 Monterrey secondary schools. Multivariate ordered logistic and linear regression analyses, adjusted for school level effects, indicated that aggressive masculinity was associated with higher risk of drug use on most outcomes, while affective femininity was associated with lower risk on selected outcomes. Assertive masculinity was associated with only one of the outcomes examined and submissive femininity with none of them. Most gender identity effects persisted after controlling for biological sex, academic performance, age, and other gender identity measures. For two of the outcomes, the gender identity measures had significantly stronger effects for males than for females. The findings are interpreted in light of males' higher risk for drug use and changes in gender roles and gendered behavior that are now occurring in Mexico as in the U.S.

Section: Gender Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender identity and substance use among students in two high schools in Monterrey, Mexico

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Marsiglia

Lingard

et al. 2008

“…Another side of machismo emphasizes more positive masculine traits centered around honor, earned respect, bravery, dignity, and a sense of family responsibility (Neff, 2001). These two aspects of machismo appear to coexist in the cultural norms espoused by many Mexican American adolescents of the southwest (Kulis, Marsiglia, & Hurdle, 2003; Marsiglia & Holleran, 1999). Marianismo , the complement to machismo , is said to govern female gender roles in Mexican culture (Gil & Vazquez, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Differences in the Effect of Linguistic Acculturation on Substance Use Among Mexican-Origin Youth in the Southwest United States

Marsiglia

Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse

Hussaini

et al. 2010

This study tested for gender differences in the impact of linguistic acculturation on pro-drug norms, substance use intentions, and actual substance use among youth of Mexican heritage in a large metropolitan area in the Southwest United States. The authors analyzed baseline survey data provided by 2,487 middle school students of Mexican heritage who were part of a larger, multiethnic randomized efficacy trial of a drug abuse prevention program. Using multi-group structural equation modeling, the authors found that linguistic acculturation was positively and directly related to adherence to pro-drug norms, substance use intentions, and recent alcohol use, controlling for age, poor grades, and socioeconomic status. In addition, linguistic acculturation had an indirect effect on substance use intentions and recent alcohol use through pro-drug norms. The direct effect of linguistic acculturation on pro-drug norms was stronger for girls than for boys, as was its indirect effect on substance use intentions.

“…Marsiglia and Holleran’s (1999) qualitative research also noted how Mexican-American girls experience a contrast between the elevated status of Marianismo, as taught in traditional Mexican families, and the lack of support for these gender role beliefs in U.S. culture and with their more acculturated peers. The marginalization from both cultures experienced by Mexican-American girls, as they become more acculturated, is further exacerbated by the sense that boyfriends and fathers use beliefs in traditional gender roles to subordinate girls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Marianismo has traditionally been seen as a source of strength (Marsiglia & Holleran, 1999) by which women are spiritually superior to men and therefore can endure the suffering inflicted by men. La mujer is sometimes used to capture the positive aspects of Marianismo (Kulis et al, 2008); that is, a capable, strong, and proactive woman who is concerned with the care and nurturance of her family (Rocha-Sanchez & Diaz-Loving, 2005).…”

Section: Gender Roles and Machismo/marianismo In Mexican Americansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Roles, Externalizing Behaviors, and Substance Use Among Mexican-American Adolescents

Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions

Marsiglia²,

Nagoshi

2010

A sample of 60 male and 91 female Mexican-American adolescents (age 13-18) were administered measures of positive (i.e., assertive masculinity, affective femininity) and negative (i.e., aggressive masculinity, submissive femininity) gender roles, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, peer substance use, and own substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana). Negative gender roles were significantly correlated with internalizing and externalizing problems for both boys and girls, with aggressive masculinity also predicting peer substance use for both genders. Assertive masculinity significantly predicted lower alcohol use in boys, and this effect was not mediated by internalizing problems, externalizing problems, or peer substance use. Negative gender roles significantly predicted higher alcohol use in girls, but this effect was almost completely mediated by internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and peer substance use. Results are discussed in terms of gender role socialization among Mexican Americans. Keywordsexternalizing/internalizing; gender roles; Mexican-American adolescents; substance useIn the general adolescent population, cigarette smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug use tends to increase and peak for males as they approach young adulthood at 18 to 25 years old (Park, Muyle, Adams, Brindis, & Irwin, 2006). Mexican-American adolescent males could be particularly vulnerable. Since 1992 Latinos have reported the highest annual rates of illicit drug use among eighth-grade students in national studies, as well as higher rates of recent alcohol use, intoxication, and binge drinking than students from other ethnic groups (Johnston, O'Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2004). As reviewed by Alvarez, Jason, Olson, Ferrari, and Davis (2007), Latina women are more likely to abstain from using substances and are less likely than Latino men to drink heavily and become alcohol dependent. The higher prevalence of substance use among Mexican-American adolescents translates into higher risk for substance abuse, substance dependence, mental disorders, and serious mental illness as these teens enter young adulthood. Gender roles are possible factors that could be implicated in all Address correspondence to Stephen Kulis, Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 720, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0693, USA. Kulis@asu.edu. NIH Public AccessAuthor Manuscript J Soc Work Pract Addict. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 July 1. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript these vulnerabilities. Through their relationship to internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001), gender roles might be important in predicting adolescent alcohol and drug use.Research has shown that adolescent internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors can in fact be accounted for by gender differences in traditionally defined gender roles of masculinity and femininity (Hoffmann, Powlishta, & White, 2004;Husel...