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Substance use among second-generation immigrants in France: heritage language as a protective factor
Stéphane Legleye1,2, Myriam Khlat3, Damien Bricard4,5
1INSERM U1018 Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Santé des Populations (CESP), Villejuif, France.
International Journal of Public Health
|June 30, 2026
Summary
First-generation immigrants (G1) and second-generation immigrants (G2) who speak their heritage language show lower substance use. Other second-generation immigrants (G2) exhibit higher substance use, similar to the majority population.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Immigration Studies
Background:
- Substance use patterns vary significantly among immigrant populations.
- Understanding acculturation's impact on health behaviors is crucial for public health.
- France's diverse immigrant communities present a unique context for studying substance use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare substance use (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) among first-generation immigrants (G1), second-generation immigrants (G2), and the majority population in France.
- To investigate the influence of heritage language practice at home on substance use within second-generation immigrant groups.
- To examine differences in substance use based on parental background (homogenous vs. mixed) among second-generation immigrants.
Main Methods:
- Nation-wide probability sample of 2,736 immigrants (Maghreb and Southern-Europe origins) and 19,185 majority population individuals.
- Analysis focused on alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use.
- Key variables included heritage language use at age 15 and parental background type.
Main Results:
- First-generation immigrants (G1) reported lower substance use compared to the majority population.
- Second-generation immigrants (G2) speaking their heritage language and those with homogenous parentage showed lower substance use.
- Second-generation immigrants (G2) with mixed parentage or exclusive French use had substance use levels similar to or higher than the majority population, particularly for tobacco and cannabis in specific subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Heritage language maintenance and specific family structures are associated with lower substance use among second-generation immigrants.
- Findings highlight the need for culturally tailored prevention strategies for diverse immigrant populations.
- Understanding immigrant acculturation nuances is vital for effective public health interventions.
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