DRUG-USE AMONG PUERTO-RICANS - ETHNIC-IDENTITY AS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR

This study assesses the relationship of multiple drug risks, Puerto Ri can identity, and drug use. In addition, the risk/protective and prote ctive/protective paradigms for examining interactive effects of ethnic identity and drug risks oil drug use were assessed. Structured interv iews were conducted with 555 Puerto Rican males and females whose mean age was 19. Each risk and two ethnic variables were related to drug u se. Regressions showed that cultural knowledge, being culturally activ e, group attachment, and identification with Puerto Ricans offset the impact of risks on drug use. Ethnic variables also enhanced the protec tive effect of other protective factors. These results substantiate ex panding risk-buffering models to include ethnic identity and the prote ctive role of ethnic identity for Puerto Rican youth.