Acculturation has been linked to a number of health outcomes for Latinos including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, substance use, and teen pregnancy. The Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans–II (ARSMA-II) is one of the most frequently cited instruments for measuring acculturation in Latinos but empirical investigation of the latent factor structure has lagged behind its use. The main purpose of this study is to confirm the latent factor structure of a brief version of the ARSMA-II in a sample (N = 205) of pregnant Latina adolescents and their male partners. Analyses revealed via confirmatory factor analysis that a 10-item bidimensional structure of this measure produced the best fit for the sample. Furthermore, a path analysis indicated direct effects between each of the latent factors and the health outcomes of substance use and depressive symptomatology. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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