THE ROLE OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IN DRUG-USE AMONG LATINO ADOLESCENTS

The Latino population is one of the fastest growing populations in the country and, relative to other groups, it is a population which must cope with a number of immigration-related stressors. As a result, Lati no adolescents may be at special risk for emotional distress and drug use. This paper reviews issues around emotional distress and drug use in Latino adolescents. Comorbidity of emotional distress and drug use, the question of whether emotional distress is an antecedent or conseq uence of drug use, assessment issues, and the relationship between emo tional distress, drug use, and high risk behaviors are among the issue s addressed. In a survey of primarily 9th and 10th grade immigrant Mex ican students, emotional distress was assessed using three abbreviated scales of depression, hostility, and anxiety based on the Hopkins Sym ptom checklist, a history of suicide attempts was also assessed. Frequ ency and quantity of ten substances including alcohol, cigarettes, and hard drugs also were assessed. Most types of drug use were significan tly correlated with emotional distress and positive history of suicide attempt. A high frequency of alcohol use and inhalant use were associ ated with emotional distress and a positive history of suicide attempt s. Hostility was most strongly correlated with drug use. It is suggest ed that hostility as well as moderate to high depression symptom level s be considered risk factors for drug use and suicidality in Latino ad olescents. It is also recommended that emotional distress be explicitl y addressed in the treatment of drug abuse and other problem behaviors in Latino adolescents.