Elizabeth L. Khoury

Drug Use and Ethnicity in Early Adolescence

Different Worlds: Drug Use and Ethnicity in Early Adolescence. Context and Design of the Study G.J. Warheit. Substance Use and Other Social Deviance G.J. Warheit, A.G. Gil. Pathways to Drug Use W.A. Vega, et al. Are Girls Different? A Developmental Perspective on Gender Differences in Risk Factors for Substance Use Among Adolescents E.L. Khoury. Cultural Adjustment and Hispanic Adolescent Drug Use W.A. Vega, A.G. Gil. Developmental Patterns of African American Adolescent Drug Use F. Biafora, R.S. Zimmerman. Prevention Implications and Conclusions. Appendix. Index.

Cultural conflicts and problem behaviors of Latino adolescents in home and school environments

This empirical study examines the behavioral sequelae of acculturation strains among Latino adolescents in home ans school settings. Two theoretically derived hypotheses are tested. First, low acculturation Latinos experiencing strains associated wsith rapid cultural and language transitions will have more behavior problems reported by their parents and teachers. Second, highly acculturated Latinos reporting more acculturation strains. associated with perceptions of prejudical treatment and internalization of inority status will have more behavior problems reported by aprents and teachers. The data were taken from the self-reports of 2,360 adolescents in the greater Miami (Florida) area, ans their teacher ans parent reports. problem behaviors were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher Report Form. Strain measures included language conflicts, acculturation conflicts, perceived discrimination, and perception of a closed society. Results indicated general confirmation of both hypotheses. Among immigrant adolescents only language confilicts were associated with reported behavior problems reported by teachers and parents. Among the U.S. born, language conficts, perceived discrimination, and perceptions ofa closed society were associated with behavior problems reported by teachers but not by parents. The central finding is that both immigrant and nonimmigrant Latino adolescents are likely to experience a variety of acculturative strains in the school setting that may affect role performance and lower educational aspirations.

A Comparative Analysis of Cigarette, Alcohol, and Illicit Drug Use among an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Hispanic, African American, and Non-Hispanic White Adolescents

Longitudinal findings are presented on lifetime, past year, and magnitude of use of cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs among non-Hispanic White (NHW), African-American, Cuban, Nicaraguan, Colombian, and Puerto Rican adolescent boys. The T-3 sample included 5,370 adolescents of whom 3,403 were Hispanic. About one-half the Hispanic sample was foreign born. Significant increases in lifetime use and magnitude of use of all three substances were found over the three data collection periods for all six groups. NHW and Hispanic adolescents had higher substance use rates than African-Americans. Most differences were not significant for NHW and Hispanic subgroups. Foreign-born Hispanics reported positive relationships between length of time in country and substance use. Significant relationships were found in two instances. Length of time in country was related to lifetime use of all substances for Cubans and for past year use of alcohol and illicit drugs. It was also significantly related to lifetime and past year use of alcohol and for lifetime illicit drug use among Nicaraguans. Although substance use did not vary greatly for different Hispanic groups, the authors suggest caution be used in offering generalizations, especially among young groups with diverse nativity and immigration histories.

The Implementation of an Experimental Research Design in the Evaluation of an Intervention to Prevent AIDS among IV Drug Users

A demonstration project, currently in progress in Miami, is using an experimental research design to evaluate an AIDS intervention program among IV drug users and the sexual partners of IV drug users. At the time of the initial assessment, which includes a blood test to determine HIV serostatus and an extensive interview, study participants are randomized into either a standard or an enhanced intervention protocol. The enhanced intervention group receives more intensive counseling including individual as well as group sessions. Follow-up assessments of both groups are made at six-month intervals. The before/after comparisons will assess whether frequency of risk behaviors have changed and whether observed changes are greater in the enhanced group than the standard group. Randomization to two alternative intervention groups allows for the control of many potential biases that plague other types of before/after research designs.

Mobile mammography: A model program for medically underserved women

A mobile mammography program in Miami, Florida, has been in operation for the past 5 years, targeting older socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority women.