Online Program

323978
Examining Predictors of Recent Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking among a Nationally Representative Sample of Hispanic Adolescents


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Keith King, PhD, MCHES, Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Rebecca A. Vidourek, PhD, CHES, Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Ashley Merianos, PhD, CHES, School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Lauren A. Bartsch, PhD, CHES, Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Background: Hispanic adolescents are at increased risk for alcohol use and binge drinking. Research is needed to more thoroughly understand the variables involved with such high rates of alcohol use. The present study examined whether authoritarian parenting (e.g., parents never/seldom told their youth good job), school experiences (e.g., how students felt about going to school), depression, legal problems (e.g., being arrested, on parole, or probation) and perceived social norms of their peers using alcohol predicted recent alcohol use and binge drinking (past 30 days) among a nationally representative sample of Hispanic adolescents. Methods: A secondary data analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health including 3,457 Hispanic adolescents was performed. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed via univariate logistic regression analyses and variables that were significant in these analyses were retained and included in the final multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Results indicated that in the past 30 days 13.8% of Hispanic adolescents drank alcohol and 8.0% binge drank. Statistically significant predictors were age, authoritarian parenting, school experiences, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of peer alcohol use. Analyses revealed that Hispanic adolescents at highest risk for use were 16 to 17 years of age, experienced authoritarian parenting (e.g., parents never/seldom told them good job), lacked positive school experiences, had legal problems, and perceived that most students at their school drank alcohol. Conclusions: These results should be considered when developing and implementing alcohol prevention efforts for Hispanic adolescents. Additional implications and recommendations based on the findings are provided.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify predictors of recent alcohol use and binge drinking among a nationally representative sample of Hispanic adolescents Discuss the importance of developing and implementing comprehensive alcohol prevention efforts targeting Hispanic adolescents

Keyword(s): Alcohol Use, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Professor and the Program Director of the Health Promotion and Education Program at the University of Cincinnati. I regularly collaborate with local, regional, and national organizations aimed toward increasing positive youth development. I have published over 100 peer-reviewed publications and have presented over 50 professional presentations at conferences focusing on adolescent health promotion and substance abuse prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.