The associations between immigrant status and risk-behavior patterns in Latino adolescents

doi:10.1016/1054-139X(94)00101-J

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 17, Issue 2, August 1995, Pages 99-105

https://doi.org/10.1016/1054-139X(94)00101-J Get rights and content

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in patterns of risk-taking behavior among Latino adolescents with respect to immigrant status and in comparison to their native non-Hispanic white counterparts.

Methods:

In fall of 1988 and spring of 1989 a confidential Teen Health Risk Survey was administered to 1,789 students at two high schools in northern California, both of which have a school health center on-site, and which had large numbers of Latino students enrolled. We divided the Latino adolescent population into two groups: Latinos who were born in the United States (native-born Latinos) and Latinos who had immigrated to the United States (Latino immigrants). Eight different risk-taking behaviors were identified for this study: alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, illicit drug use, self-violence, drunk driving, unintended pregnancy, and violence.

Results:

We found that in general, Latino students engaged in a greater number of risk-taking behaviors than native non-Hispanic whites. The mean number of risk behaviors was highest for Latino immigrants (1.78), followed by native-born Latinos (1.71), and native non-Hispanic whites (.99). A t-test revealed that non-Hispanic whites were statistically different from both Latino populations in their level of risk-taking behavior (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

This sample of immigrant Latino students appeared to be vulnerable to engaging in risk-taking behaviors and did not exhibit the anticipated cultural protective factors associated with recent immigrants. The extent and variety of risk-taking behaviors clearly call for the development of culturally sensitive and accessible health education and health care services within a broader array of social, educational and support services.

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Original articleThe associations between immigrant status and risk-behavior patterns in Latino adolescents

Purpose:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusions:

Soc Sci Med

Results from the National Adolescent Student Health Survey

JAMA

Adolescent pregnancy prevention: A guide book for communities

Hispanic youth, substance abuse, and stress: Implications for prevention research

Int J Addictions

The Health of America's Youth: Current Trends in Health Status and Utilization of Health Services

Money income and poverty status in the United States: 1988 (Advance data from the March 1989 Current Population Survey)

Original article
The associations between immigrant status and risk-behavior patterns in Latino adolescents