Objective
To examine perceived discrimination and substance use among Latino high school students.
Methods
Latino 9th graders (N=1332) completed self-report measures of perceived discrimination and substance use behavior.
Results
Perceived discrimination was associated with lifetime use measures of smoking (OR=1.73, P<0.01), alcohol (OR=1.53, P<0.01), marijuana (OR=1.70, P<0.01), and inhalants (OR=1.50, P<0.05); and past 30 day measures of smoking (OR=2.54, P<0.01), alcohol (OR=1.63, P<0.01), marijuana (OR=1.95, P<0.01), and inhalants (OR=1.64, P<0.01), and binge drinking (OR=1.84, P<0.01).
Conclusions
Latino adolescents who have higher perceptions of discrimination are at risk for substance use. Interventions to help Latino adolescents cope with feelings of discrimination may be a useful addition to substance use prevention programs.