RISK-FACTORS FOR SUBSTANCE USE AMONG MEXICAN-AMERICAN SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH

This article is a report of an investigation of risk factors that may play an important role in understanding the use of various minor and m ajor substances in a school-age population. Mexican American fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students with low socioeconomic status (N = 2, 216; 52% males and 48% females) were surveyed to ascertain information pertaining to their substance use and its relationship to specific en vironmental and psychological risk factors. Results capture prevalence and distribution of substance use among this population by gender, as well as the relationship between the magnitude of risk and substance use by gender. Results indicate a positive relationship between the nu mber of risk factors experienced by students and substance use.