EFFECTS OF ACCULTURATION AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY ON SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR AND SUBSTANCE USE OF SUICIDAL HISPANIC ADOLESCENTS

Two theoretical constructs of acculturation (high vs. low and bicultur alism) were compared across adolescent risk behaviors among a seldom-s tudied group of Hispanic adolescents, 70% of whom were from the Domini can Republic. The sample consisted of 116 consecutively referred suici dal adolescent females who were assessed on diagnostic, acculturative, and risk behavior instruments. Hierarchical regressions were carried out separately for sexual behavior and substance use. Biculturalism (O R = 1.18, p <.01) and substance use (OR = 1.47, p <.01) were uniquely associated with sexual intercourse. High acculturation (R-2 =.37, p <. 001) and psychopathology as a block (R-2 =.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 t he first known report of an association between biculturalism and sexu al behavior in Hispanic adolescent girls.