Marcos J. Martinez

Associations of ethnic discrimination with symptoms of anxiety and depression among Hispanic emerging adults: a moderated mediation model

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Emerging adulthood is often marked with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Hispanic emerging adults may face cultural stressors such as ethnic discrimination that further increase levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The study aims were to examine if (a) self-esteem mediated effects of ethnic discrimination on symptoms of anxiety and depression, and (b) if gender moderated the indirect effects of discrimination. Design: The study design was cross-sectional self-report. Method: Two moderated mediation models were tested, with 1084 Hispanic emerging adults (ages 18–25) enrolled in institutions of post-secondary in the United States. Results: Results indicated that (a) higher ethnic discrimination was associated with higher anxiety symptoms (β = .05, p = .04), higher depression symptoms (β = .06, p = .02), and lower self-esteem (β = −.30, p < .001); (b) self-esteem mediated the associations of ethnic discrimination with anxiety and depression symptoms; and (c) gender moderated the indirect effects of discrimination, whereby self-esteem was a stronger mediator among men than women. Each moderated mediation model explained 26% of variability in symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the mediating effects of self-esteem linking ethnic discrimination with symptoms of anxiety and depression vary between genders.

Ecodevelopmental predictors of early initiation of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among Hispanic adolescents

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to test the transactional relationships of risk and protective factors that influence initiation of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among Hispanic youth. Ecodevelopmental theory was used to identify factors at multiple ecological levels with a focus on four school-level characteristics (i.e. school socioeconomic status, school climate, school acculturation, and school ethnic composition). A sample of 741 Hispanic adolescents (M age=13.9, SD=.67) and their caregivers were recruited from 18 participating middle schools in Miami-Dade County, FL. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized ecodevelopmental model of early substance use, accounting for school clustering effects. Results provided strong support for the model (CFI=.95; RMSEA=.03). School SES was indirectly related to the likelihood of starting substance use through perceived peer use norms (β=.03, p<.02). Similarly, school climate had an indirect effect on substance use initiation through family functioning and perceptions of peer use norms (β=-.03, p<.01). Neither school ethnic composition nor school acculturation had indirect effects on initiation of substance use. Results highlight the importance of the interplay of risk and protective factors at multiple ecological levels that impact early substance use initiation. Further, findings underscore the key role of school level characteristics on the initiation of substance use and present opportunities for intervention.

The Relationship Between Peer, Parent, and Grandparent Norms and Intentions to Use Substances for Urban American Indian Youths

Peer, parent, and grandparent norms may be a protective factor for American Indian (AI) youth intentions to use substances, but little research has explored these influences on urban AI youths. Using OLS regression, a secondary data analysis examined the relationship between peer, parent, and grandparent substance use norms and intentions to use substances (N = 148). Findings indicated that grandparent and peer norms were the strongest predictors of intentions to use substances. Implications of these results include the need for concerted, culturally focused efforts that address AI youth substance use by targeting AI peer and family networks.

Parent-Focused Preventive Interventions for Youth Substance Use and Problem Behaviors: A Systematic Review

Research indicates substance use initiation increases the risk of other youth problem behaviors and substance dependence. Preventing these problematic behaviors through parenting has the potential for avoiding deleterious consequences for youth, their families, and the community. Purpose: This systematic review provides an assessment of parent-focused preventive interventions that are effective in preventing early substance use (SU) and other problem behaviors among youth. Method: A systematic search following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted to identify prevention studies. Studies were then assessed utilizing the Society for Prevention Research (SPR) efficacy criteria. Results: Ten studies, utilizing 11 preventive interventions, met all inclusion criteria. Discussion: The efficacious interventions emphasized parent skills training and engagement, were school-based, and utilized multiple prevention strategies. The Strengthening Families Program met the most SPR efficacy criteria. This review suggests parenting interventions are effective at preventing early youth SU and other problem behaviors. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Sociocultural determinants of substance misuse among adult Latinas of Caribbean and South and Central American descent: A longitudinal study of a community-based sample.

ABSTRACT Few studies have examined the socio-cultural determinants of alcohol and drug misuse trajectories among adult Latinas. To assess the associations between socio-cultural determinants and alcohol and drug misuse, we used a longitudinal design to follow a sample of adult Latina mother-daughter-dyads (N = 267) for ten years, and collected four waves of data. They were adult Latinas of Caribbean, South and Central American descent. Specifically, this study investigated the effects of the following factors: (1) Individual Determinants (e.g., socioeconomic conditions, mental health, and medical status); (2) Cultural Determinants (e.g., acculturation to US culture); (3) Interpersonal Determinants (e.g., interpersonal support, relationship stress, mother-daughter attachment, intimate partner violence); (4) Community Determinants (e.g., neighborhood related stress); and (5) Institutional Determinants (e.g., religious involvement, involvement with the criminal justice system). Using hierarchical modeling, we found that taking prescribed medication on a regular basis for a physical problem, religious involvement, and mother-daughter attachment were negatively associated with drug misuse, while involvement in criminal activity was positively associated with drug misuse. Regarding alcohol misuse, results showed that age at arrival in the United States, number of years in the United States, and religious involvement were negatively associated with alcohol misuse, while involvement in criminal activity was positively associated with alcohol misuse. Based on our findings, explicit implications are provided for culturally relevant interventions.

The Relationship between Acculturation, Ecodevelopment, and Substance Use among Hispanic Adolescents.

Using structural equation modeling, we examined the relationship of Hispanicism on recent substance use and whether Americanism moderated the effect in a sample of 1,141 Hispanic adolescents. The Bicultural Involvement Questionnaire (BIQ) was used to determine the degree of individual comfort in both Hispanic (Hispanicism) and American (Americanism) cultures. Hispanicism was associated with greater family functioning (β = .36, p < .05) and school bonding (β = .31, p < .01); Americanism moderated the effect of Hispanicism on substance use (β = .92, p < .01). Findings suggest that Hispanic culture was protective against substance use; however, those effects differed depending on level of Americanism.

Cultural Correlates of DUI Risk Perceptions Among Documented and Undocumented Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida

Latinos do not drink and drive more often than non-Latino Whites, yet are disproportionately involved in alcohol-related arrests and fatal crashes. These disparities have been linked to a failure in recognizing the impairing effects of alcohol on driving psychomotor abilities and low risk perceptions of being caught or prosecuted by law enforcement for DUI (driving under the influence). However, little is known about the role that cultural factors play in shaping drinking and driving risk perceptions among Latino immigrants. This study examines associations between cultural factors and DUI risk perceptions in a sample of 467 documented and undocumented recent Latino immigrants. Results revealed cultural risk factors were associated with higher alcohol use and decreased DUI risk perceptions. Cultural protective factors were linked with less drinking behaviors. Undocumented immigrants reported higher rates of alcohol use, lower levels of cultural protective factors, and higher levels of cultural risk factors. Findings contribute to the limited knowledge of drinking and driving among Latino immigrants early in the immigration process and suggest a need for greater attention to cultural factors in developing DUI prevention programs tailored toward Latino immigrants.