NCJ Number
173186
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 967-994
Date Published
1998
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined intergenerational discrepancy for cultural orientation in the etiology of drug use among Latina adolescents and in the context of family support.
Abstract
Intergenerational discrepancy occurs when a family member of one generation differs from a family member of another generation in cultural-identity factors; this is usually manifested in conflict between a first-generation child and the immigrant- generation parent. This study hypothesized that the Latina adolescents who experienced intergenerational discrepancy might use drugs more often than Latina adolescents who were not, and that family support would be an important moderator of the relationship. A sample of 295 ninth and tenth grade Latina students (approximately 80 percent Mexican-American) from four Los Angeles area schools were surveyed as part of a larger study. In this secondary analysis, a 2 (family support) x 2 (discrepancy) ANOVA revealed that intergenerational discrepancy was associated with more drug use in certain cases, and that family support did not moderate this relationship. Results partially validate and extend a theoretical model presented by Szapocznik and Kurtines (1980), and indicate a need to focus on cultural variables when intervening in drug use/misuse among Latina adolescents. 6 tables and 44 references