Influence of Mother–Daughter Attachment on Substance Use: A Longitudinal Study of a Latina Community-Based Sample

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: Advancing our initial, cross-sectional study, which showed that adult Latinas' mother-daughter attachment relates to their substance use, the current, longitudinal study tests whether mother and daughter attachment scores at baseline predict their substance use over time. Method: We analyzed data from a convenience sample of 133 Latina adult mothers (mean age = 52 years, SD = 10) and 133 Latina adult daughters (mean age = 27, SD = 9) at baseline and at 5-year and 6-year follow-ups after baseline (attrition rate = 16%). Multilevel longitudinal modeling was used to examine the effect of mother-daughter attachment at baseline on their substance use over time. Results: Each unit of increase in the attachment score at baseline is associated with a 0.28 drink decrease in monthly alcohol use (p < .05) and a lower likelihood of being a heavy alcohol or other drug user [exp(β) = 0.97, p < .01] compared with average attachment score at baseline (M = 91.52, SD = 18.00). Time and older age at baseline are associated with decreased substance use. Being born outside the United States is associated with decreased risk of heavy alcohol or other drug use. Being a mother is associated with increased substance use. Conclusions: The findings of this longitudinal study on adult Latinas indicate that mother-daughter attachment has long-lasting effects on substance use trajectories among adult Latinas. Future research should focus on (a) investigating social and cultural factors mediating this relationship and (b) greater substance use among Latina mothers compared with daughters. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 76, 307-316, 2015)

A social ecological study of psychological distress among recently immigrated, Latina young adults.

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Improving Relational Functioning in Mother-Daughter Dyads With Obesity

“…The intervention targeted communication competencies such as disclosure, empathy, and support as they were previously linked to emotional closeness in Mexican American mothers and daughters with obesity 30. Although research on the role of relational functioning in weight-related behaviors among Mexican American mothers and daughters in adulthood is scarce, studies have shown that adult attachment (ie, high in communication quality and feelings of trust and low in degree of alienation) between Latinx mothers and daughters serves to mutually protect against other unhealthful behaviors 44–46. These findings further support the value of strengthening relational functioning when promoting health behaviors to intergenerational Latinx families.…”

Sociocultural determinants of substance misuse among adult Latinas of Caribbean and South and Central American descent: A longitudinal study of a community-based sample

“…Yet, empirically based studies of social support among Latina adults are scarce (Cruza-Guet, Spokane, Caskie, Brown, & Szapocznik, 2008). The few existing studies report that Latinas who receive tangible and emotional support and have strong attachments to their families cope better with stress and report less alcohol and illicit drug use compared to Latinas with no support (Barrera, Biglan, Ary, & Li, 2001; Canino et al, 2008; De La Rosa et al, 2015; Lopez et al, 2008; Schwartz et al, 2008; Vega & Sribney, 2003). …”