Predictors of alcohol use in Latin American adolescents and young adults in the U.S.: a longitudinal analysis

Abstract

There is a need for culturally sensitive clinical interventions for substance use disorders. Parental modeling, peer alcohol use, and depression are related to alcohol use, but have not been specifically examined among Latin American adolescents and young adults in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to examine contributing factors to alcohol use in Latin American adolescents and young adults in the U.S. Participants included 400 Hispanic and Latino adolescents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Results from a path analysis suggested that parent and peer alcohol use are associated with adolescent alcohol use and that adolescent alcohol use mediates the relationship between peer alcohol use and young adult alcohol use. Clinical and research implications are described.