Michelle R. Resor

Characteristics associated with smoking in a Hispanic sample

Although general smoking prevalence has declined, similar declines have not been observed in some underserved populations. For example, groups such as ethnic minorities, individuals with psychiatric diagnoses, those with a history of substance use, and weight concerned smokers have not shown comparable reductions. The goal of this study is to create a profile of Hispanic smokers in the El Paso/Juárez area and identify predictors of smoking. In this cross-sectional study, these variables were assessed in 160 English-speaking Hispanic volunteers. Participants completed measures of tobacco use, nicotine dependence, weekly alcohol consumption, acculturation, depressive symptomatology, weight concern, and drug use. Expired carbon monoxide and body composition were also assessed. Participants were light smokers with low levels of nicotine dependence and expired carbon monoxide, a significant number of past quit attempts, and limited use of cessation aids. Significant characteristics associated with smoking included male gender, use of mental health services, increasing number of drinks per week, and lifetime use of illicit drugs. These findings suggest substance use and psychiatric comorbidity are associated with smoking in this population and may be barriers to quitting. These factors should be considered in developing culturally-sensitive tobacco cessation interventions for Hispanic smokers, particularly those residing on the U.S./México border.

Alcohol Use and Comorbid Anxiety, Traumatic Stress, and Hopelessness Among Hispanics

Little is known about the comorbidity of alcohol use, anxiety, hopelessness, and trauma among Mexican Americans, especially those living in impoverished and often isolated communities or neighborhoods (colonias in Spanish) along the U.S.-Mexico border that may be particularly vulnerable due to stressful living conditions. The current study utilized a community participatory model to investigate the relationships of alcohol use, acculturation, anxiety, hopelessness, and trauma in 100 Mexican origin colonia residents. Significant comorbidity was expected and that anxiety, hopelessness, and post-traumatic symptoms were hypothesized to be associated with the severity of the alcohol use disorders of participants. Participants who met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress, and symptoms of anxiety were significantly associated with alcohol use disorders. This study provides evidence of the need for further investigation of stress, trauma, anxiety, hopelessness, and alcohol abuse in Mexican American residents and to inform future prevention and treatment efforts to improve both the physical and mental health of this population.

Club drug use in Hispanic college students

Club drug use and correlates were examined among 251 Hispanic college students on the Texas-México border. Participants completed questionnaires on substance use, club drug attitudes and beliefs, sexual risk-taking behaviors, depressive symptoms, and acculturation. One-quarter of participants reported club drug use. Regression analyses demonstrated that frequency and history of lifetime use were consistently associated with more permissive drug attitudes and other substance use but not sexual risk-taking, depression symptoms, or acculturation. Acculturation was negatively associated with frequency of club drug use, yet positively associated with use of other illicit substances. Avenues for future studies are suggested.

Addiction Treatment Disparities

Publisher Summary Ethnic minority and sexual minority individuals face unique challenges in accessing treatment services. Once treatment is accessed, minority clients face additional problems. Frequently, the prevailing treatment models do not account for minority cultural values and traditional practices, and therapists often are insensitive to cultural differences inherent in their minority clients. Addressing specific issues of relevance to positive outcomes for minority clients is often overlooked or avoided. A long history of minority clients being underserved and understudied has contributed to a general lack of understanding about how to effectively help them therapeutically. However, researchers and treatment professionals are now collaborating with key stakeholders to improve treatment in ethnic minority communities. The new model of community-based participation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of treatment programs holds great promise in improving services to people who have been traditionally disempowered and poorly served in society.

Addiction Treatment Disparities: Ethnic and Sexual Minority Populations

Publisher Summary Ethnic minority and sexual minority individuals face unique challenges in accessing treatment services. Once treatment is accessed, minority clients face additional problems. Frequently, the prevailing treatment models do not account for minority cultural values and traditional practices, and therapists often are insensitive to cultural differences inherent in their minority clients. Addressing specific issues of relevance to positive outcomes for minority clients is often overlooked or avoided. A long history of minority clients being underserved and understudied has contributed to a general lack of understanding about how to effectively help them therapeutically. However, researchers and treatment professionals are now collaborating with key stakeholders to improve treatment in ethnic minority communities. The new model of community-based participation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of treatment programs holds great promise in improving services to people who have been traditionally disempowered and poorly served in society.