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Testing the healthy immigrant effect on youth alcohol use: A longitudinal study.
Lydia Muyingo1, Sean P Mackinnon1, Simon B Sherry2
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|November 24, 2025
Summary
Recent immigrant youth exhibit lower alcohol consumption and later drinking onset, supporting the healthy immigrant effect. Socioeconomic status and alcohol norms also influence adolescent alcohol use patterns.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Sociology of Health
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- The healthy immigrant effect (HIE) describes better health in recent immigrants compared to native populations in developed countries.
- Understanding HIE in relation to adolescent behaviors like alcohol use is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the healthy immigrant effect (HIE) by comparing alcohol use quantity and drinking onset.
- To analyze these patterns across different adolescent immigrant generation statuses over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of alcohol use quantity and drinking onset from grades 7-11.
- Comparison across 1.5, 2nd, and 3+ immigrant generation youth (N=2621-3353).
- Analysis of participant completion rates across five waves.
Main Results:
- Individuals of 1.5 immigrant generation status reported significantly lower drinking quantity and later drinking onset.
- Socioeconomic status (SES) and perceived alcohol norms were identified as predictors of alcohol use.
- Group differences in SES and alcohol norms partially explained variations in alcohol use quantity, but not onset.
Conclusions:
- Recent immigrant status appears protective against adolescent alcohol use.
- Future research should explore moderators of the HIE, such as country-of-origin.
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