Immigration studies show that the social adaptation of second-generation youth is conditioned by the pace of acculturation among parents and children, cultural and economic barriers, and family and community resources for confronting barriers. This research, however, has primarily focused on the link between acculturation and acculturative stress on Latino adolescents residing in large urban communities. There is a lack of research on the social integration of Latino youth living in rapidly expanding non-metropolitan communities. Consequently, we explored cultural aspects and potential risk and protective factors for early onset of alcohol use for Latino youth. Our findings indicate these rural Latino youth face unique and common stressors compared to urban youth that place them at risk for alcohol use. Cultural expectations surrounding substance use, however, may serve as protective factors to substance use for Latino youth, particularly girls.
Several researchers have examined how acculturation shapes the self-esteem of adolescents, but few studies have looked at the influence of acculturation for older Mexican Americans. The aim of this study was to examine how language acculturation shaped the self-esteem of older Mexican Americans. The data come from the baseline wave (N=3050) of the ongoing Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE), a multistage area probability sample conducted in 1993 and 1994. Research revealed that language acculturation is positively associated with self-esteem. However, depressive symptoms mediate and moderate the association of acculturation on self-esteem. Language acculturation among older Mexican Americans is positively associated with self-esteem, even when individuals experience depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that acculturation influences multiple dimensions of mental health.
Several hurricanes and industrial explosions in 2005 brought increasing public attention to the risk inherent in the location of US petrochemical facilities. The upper Texas GulfCoast is home to a significant cluster of petrochemical industries including some of the largest refineries in the United States. Residents live, play and work in the shadow of petrochemical towers. While the petrochemical industries have brought jobs and economic development to the area, they have permanently changed the landscape and been linked to increased stress and illness for local residents. Nevertheless, the US demand for their products means that these industries will continue to pose ongoing risks for citizens that live near them. Our photo essay intends to provide insight into these particularly important and complex landscapes of risk-landscapes in which the natural environment and well-being of residents is largely ignored as fuel prices and energy security are debated.
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