Title: Sexual behavior and drug use among Asian and Latino adolescents: association with immigrant status.

POPLINE Document Number: 314469

Author(s):

Hussey JM
Hallfors DD
Waller MW
Iritani BJ
Halpern CT

Source citation:

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 2007 Apr;9(2):85-94.

Abstract:

This paper contributes new evidence on the association between immigrant status and health by describing and attempting to explain patterns of co-occurring sex and drug use behaviors among Asian and Latino adolescents in the United States. Nine patterns of sex and drug use behaviors were identified from a cluster analysis of data from 3,924 Asian and Latino youth (grades 7-12) who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The relationship between immigrant status and risk cluster membership was evaluated with multinomial logistic regression. Compared to foreign-born youth, U.S. born Asian and Latino adolescents were more likely to engage in sex and drug risk behaviors. Family and residential characteristics associated with immigrant status partly accounted for this finding. The results indicate that among Asian and Latino adolescents, assimilation to U.S. risk behavior norms occurs rapidly and is evident by the second generation. (author's)

Keywords:

United States
Research Report
Longitudinal Studies
Adolescents
Immigrants
Asians
Hispanics
Secondary Schools
Sex Behavior
Drug Use and Abuse
Alcohol Use and Abuse
Socioeconomic Status
North America
Americas
Developed Countries
Studies
Research Methodology
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Migrants
Migration
Population Dynamics
Ethnic Groups
Cultural Background
Schools
Education
Behavior
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors