A Hispanic Paradox Exception: Results on violence-related outcomes from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

Objectives: This study examines whether disparities in violence-related outcomes for Mexicans vary by generational status and if the concentration of recent immigrants in neighborhoods has protective effects.

Data/Methods: We use data from waves I through III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to investigate risks of violence-related injury and perpetration of violence acts and related predictors. Analyses of five outcomes are performed using weighted and variance-corrected generalized logistic regression models. The outcomes are: (1) ever been shot with a firearm, (2) ever pulled a weapon on someone, (3) ever had a weapon pulled on you, (4) ever carry a weapon to school or work, (5) and ever witness someone shoot or stab another person.

Results: First generation Mexican immigrants are not statistically different from higher generations in violence victimization and perpetration. Generational status and the neighborhood concentration of immigrants are jointly protective. However, after controlling for socioeconomic status, criminal activity, generational status, and the concentration of recent immigrants in neighborhoods, Mexican youth persistently have risks of violence-related outcomes similar to non-Hispanic Blacks.

Conclusion: Generational status and the concentration of immigrants in Census blocks are protective factors for violence victimization, perpetration, and violence exposure. Regardless of generational status, Mexicans consistently exhibit risks of violent outcomes that are similar to non-Hispanic Blacks net of all modeled controls. These findings underscore the need to investigate further the social etiology of violence among disadvantaged minority groups to inform future intervention programs.