Citation

Salas-Wright CP, Vaughn MG, Goings TC, Miller DP, Chang J, Schwartz SJ. Addict. Behav. 2018; 87: 206-213.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Prevention Science & Community Health, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.06.031

PMID

30055450

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prior research indicates that Latino immigrants are less likely than US-born individuals to use alcohol and meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder. However, our understanding of alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latino immigrants remains limited. We report the prevalence of alcohol-related problem behaviors among Latino immigrants vis-à-vis the US-born and examine the relationship between alcohol-related problem behavior and key migration-related factors and injury/receipt of emergency medical care.

METHODS: The data source used for the present study is the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III, 2012-2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 civilian, non-institutionalized adults ages 18 and older in the US. Logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between immigrant status and key outcomes.

RESULTS: Foreign-born Latinos were less likely to report one or more alcohol-related problems compared to US-born Latinos (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.33-0.50) and the US-born general population (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.32-0.46). Latino immigrants arriving as children were, compared to those arriving later in life, significantly more likely to report alcohol-related problem behaviors, and experiences of discrimination were linked with greater risk of alcohol-related problem behavior as well. Latino immigrants reporting recurrent injury/emergency medical care utilization were more likely to report alcohol-related problem behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: Latino immigrants are significantly less likely than US-born Latinos and the US-born general population to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, take part in risky behaviors or fight while drinking, or to be arrested due to alcohol consumption.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol; Cultural stress; Discrimination; Emergency medical care; Immigrants