Testing the healthy immigrant effect on youth alcohol use: A longitudinal study

The healthy immigrant effect (HIE) is a phenomenon observed in developed countries in which recent immigrants report better health compared to the majority population. The purpose of the present study was to examine the HIE by comparing two measures of alcohol use over time across three adolescent groups of differing immigration statuses.

We examined the HIE by comparing alcohol use quantity and drinking onset longitudinally from grades 7-11 across 1.5, 2nd, and 3⁺ immigrant generation status youth (N = 2621-3353). Overall, 38.10 % participants completed 5 waves, 30.08 % completed 4 waves, 12.86 % completed 3 waves, 9.13 % completed 2 waves, and 9.27 % completed one wave.

Significant differences were found between immigration generation statuses consistent with the HIE: individuals of 1.5 immigrant generation status reported lower drinking quantity and later onset drinking compared to individuals of 2nd and 3⁺ immigrant generation status. Additional analyses revealed socioeconomic status (SES) and alcohol norms to be predictors of alcohol use. Differences in immigrant youth alcohol use quantity (but not onset) may be partially explained by group differences in SES and alcohol norms.

Results suggest recent immigration status is protective against alcohol use in youth. Future research should examine moderators to the HIE including country-of-origin.