Effects of Acculturation and Psychopathology on Sexual Behavior and Substance Use of Suicidal Hispanic Adolescents

Abstract

Two theoretical constructs of acculturation (high vs. low and biculturalism) were compared across adolescent risk behaviors among a seldom-studied group of Hispanic adolescents, 70% of whom were from the Dominican Republic. The sample consisted of 116 consecutively referred suicidal adolescentfemales who were assessed on diagnostic, acculturative, and risk behavior instruments. Hierarchical regressions were carried out separately for sexual behavior and substance use. Biculturalism (OR = 1.18, p < .01) and substance use (OR = 1.47, p <.01) were uniquely associated with sexual intercourse. High acculturation (R² = .37, p <.001) and psychopathology as a block (R² = .12, p <.01) were associated with greater use of substances (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana). Results suggest that acculturative status is an important indicator of high-risk activity and may vary across behavioral contexts. This is the first known report of an association between biculturalism and sexual behavior in Hispanic adolescent girls.

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