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Published on: April 28, 2022
Ethnicity and adolescent pathways to alcohol use
Karen G Chartier1, Michie N Hesselbrock, Victor M Hesselbrock
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
|April 18, 2009
Summary
Alcohol use risk factors differ by ethnicity in youth. Childhood conduct problems predict earlier drinking onset for Black youth, while positive alcohol expectancies influence White and Hispanic youth.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent alcohol use is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding ethnic variations in risk factors is crucial for targeted prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how ethnicity influences factors related to alcohol use behaviors in adolescents and young adults.
- To examine the mediating roles of conduct problems, alcohol expectancies, and socioeconomic status.
Main Methods:
- A community sample of 323 White, Black, and Hispanic youth (ages 14-21) was studied.
- Longitudinal data collected at baseline and 5-year follow-up.
- Structural equation modeling used to analyze pathways and ethnic differences.
Main Results:
- Ethnic group moderated pathways for the onset of regular alcohol use, not drinking frequency.
- Childhood conduct problems predicted earlier onset for Black youth.
- Positive alcohol expectancies predicted earlier initiation for White and Hispanic youth.
Conclusions:
- Risk factors for adolescent and young adult alcohol use are not uniform across ethnic groups.
- Findings highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions for alcohol use prevention.
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