Acculturation status and substance use prevention with Mexican and Mexican-American youth

Flavio Marsiglia, David Dran

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined whether language preference, as an indicator of acculturation, moderated the effects of a culturally grounded substance use prevention intervention for Mexican and Mexican American middle school students (N = 2,146) in Phoenix, Arizona. The main hypothesis was that levels of program effectiveness would vary based on the language preference of the students and the specific culturally grounded version of the intervention they were assigned. Findings show that matching language preference to particular versions of the intervention did not influence substance use related program outcomes, but that overall program effects (intervention versus control) did vary by language preference. English-language dominant participants, the most at risk sub-group, responded more positively to the intervention, while Spanish dominant, who had low substance use rates at baseline, and bilingual participants did not demonstrate significant differences between the intervention and control groups. Implications for school social work prevention interventions and prevention science in general, are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSubstance Abusing Latinos
Subtitle of host publicationCurrent Research on Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages85-111
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9780203051351
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012

Keywords

  • Acculturation
  • Latino
  • Mexican
  • Prevention
  • Protective factors
  • Substance abuse
  • Youth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Health Professions

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