Relative Influence of Perceived Ethnic Discrimination and Acculturation Stress on Substance Use among Latino Youth in the Southwest

An understanding of health disparities requires the analysis of cultural variables salient to health disparities populations. Using a predominately Mexican-origin Latino sample of 5th grade students from the Southwestern United States, this study examined two such variables, perceived discrimination and acculturation stress, and their relative effects on substance use, as moderated by linguistic acculturation and time in the U.S. Although rates of substance use were generally low in the sample, given the young age of the participants, over half (59%) of the sample perceived some discrimination, and almost half (47%) experienced some acculturation stress. Spanish dominant and bilingual youth perceived more discrimination than English dominant youth whereas youth who have been in the U.S. five or fewer years perceived more discrimination than youth with more time in the U.S. Youth who were Spanish dominant or were recent arrivals experienced the most acculturation stress, with levels declining as linguistic acculturation and time in the U.S. increased. Multiple regression estimates indicated that perceived discrimination was associated with larger amounts and higher frequency of recent substance use, more lifetime substance use, and an array of substance use attitudes such as stronger intentions to use substances, espousal of pro-drug norms, and more positive substance use expectancies. Although acculturation stress was not associated with substance use, it was positively associated with several substance use attitudes, which are known precursors of actual use. With a few exceptions, linguistic acculturation and time in the U.S. did not moderate the effects of perceived discrimination or acculturation stress.