Alcohol use among Hispanic adolescents: Role of linguistic acculturation and gender

This study examined the effects of linguistic acculturation (language spoke n with friends and parents) and gender on alcohal use among Hispanic adoles cents. Sixth and seventh graders in 22 New York City schools participated. Hispanic students completed self-report questionnaires at two assesments (N =1295 at baseline; N=1034 at one year follow-up). The questionnaire include d items related to alcohol use and linguistic acculturation. Language spoke n with friends was related to alcohol initiation and amount consumed at bot h assesments and drunkennes at the one-year follow-up. Specifically, a gend er proportion of bilingual adolescents engaged in drinking than more accult ured adolescents. These relationships were found for (1) alcohol initiation for boys and girls at both assesments and (2) alcohol consumed for boys at baseline and for girls at the one year follow-up. Language spoken with par ents was related to alcohal initiation of bilingual students. Within gender , these relationships were found only for boys. Consequently, bilingual His panic youth appear at greater risk of alcohol use and drunkenness.