Pregaming among Latina/o emerging adults: Do acculturation and gender matter?

Abstract

Among ethnic minority groups, Latina/o emerging adults are most likely to engage in pregaming, a risky drinking practice. This study examined how U.S. acculturation and enculturation are associated with pregaming and the extent to which gender moderates this relation in a sample of 312 Latina/o emerging adults (18 - 25 years of age). Results indicated that men consumed more alcohol when pregaming than women, but there were no gender differences in pregaming frequency. Results also showed that lower levels of U.S. acculturation were associated with greater alcohol consumption while pregaming for men, but not women. Gender did not moderate the association between acculturation and pregaming frequency. This study highlights the need to account for gender when examining sociocultural determinants of high risk drinking behaviors such as pregaming among Latina/o emerging adults.

Explaining the alcohol immigrant paradox: Perspectives from Mexican American adults.

“…In turn, native-born Mexican Americans may subscribe to a positive valuation of alcohol expectancies (Ceballos, Czyzewska, & Croyle, 2012; Gibbons et al, 2010), which can promote drinking in social settings such as bars, parties where alcohol is served, and happy hours. In Mexican and other Latinx college students—a segment of the population most at risk for heavy drinking and hazardous alcohol use—being more Americanized also may expose them to adopt high-risk drinking practices such as pregaming and drinking game participation (Perrotte, Zamboanga, Lui & Piña-Watson, 2019; Schwartz et al, 2014; Zamboanga, Tomaso, & Lui, 2017). Whereas the subtheme regarding college drinking norms appeared to be applicable to university students only, participants of all ages and educational backgrounds agreed that this social setting in the United States can heighten the risks of hazardous drinking among native-born Mexican Americans.…”

Acculturation profiles and alcohol use among Hispanic Americans

“…Heavy drinking and drunkenness are normalized behaviors that are often seen as a rite of passage among college students in the U.S. (Crawford & Novak, 2006). Individuals who are more U.S. oriented may be more likely to engage in high-risk drinking behaviors including pregaming (Perotte, Zamboanga, Lui, & Piña-Watson, 2018). Those who are more Hispanic oriented may have learned more conservative attitudes toward alcohol use as a result of cultural values including familismo.…”

Ethnocultural diversity in alcohol use and misuse.

“…One study by Wegner, Roy, DaCova, and Gorman (2019) compared ethnic groups and examined undergraduate men’s experiences with playing drinking games, a risky drinking practice (see Zamboanga et al, 2014). This is one of few studies that considers ethnocultural variations in high-risk drinking practices (Paves, Pedersen, Hummer, & LaBrie, 2012; Perrotte, Zamboanga, Lui, & Piña-Watson, 2018; Zamboanga et al, 2016; Zamboanga et al, 2015). Findings suggest future directions to better contextualize these similarities and differences by examining community and social−environmental factors.…”