Pre- to postimmigration alcohol use trajectories among recent Latino immigrants.

Abstract

The escalation of alcohol use among some Latino immigrant groups as their time in the United States increases has been well-documented. Yet, little is known about the alcohol use behaviors of Latino immigrants prior to immigration. This prospective longitudinal study examines pre- to post-immigration alcohol use trajectories among a cohort of recent Latino immigrants. Retrospective pre-immigration data were collected at baseline from a sample of 455 Cuban, South American and Central American Latinos ages 18–34 who immigrated to the U.S. less than one year prior. Two follow-up assessments (12 months apart) reported on their post-immigration alcohol use in the past 90 days. We hypothesized (a) overall declines in pre- to post-immigration alcohol among recent Latino immigrants and (b) gender/documentation specific effects, with higher rates of alcohol use among males and undocumented participants compared to their female and documented counterparts. Growth curve analyses revealed males had higher levels of pre-immigration alcohol use with steeper declines in post-immigration alcohol use compared to females. Declines in alcohol use frequency were observed for documented, but not undocumented males. No changes in pre- to post-immigration alcohol use were found for documented or undocumented females. This study contributes to the limited knowledge of pre- to post-immigration alcohol use patterns among Latinos in the United States. Future research is needed to identify social determinants associated with the alcohol use trajectories of recent Latino immigrants, as it may inform prediction, prevention, and treatment of problem-drinking behaviors among the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States.

Differences in Acculturation and Trajectories of Anxiety and Alcohol Consumption Among Latina Mothers and Daughters in South Florida

“…However, when employed, mothers also tended to consume more alcohol. These findings are in line with previous research linking higher income to increased levels of alcohol use among Latino immigrants [57]. It has been postulated that greater economic means to support unhealthy behaviors such as purchasing alcoholic beverages could be linked to this association [57] Additionally, self-reported anxiety was associated with alcohol consumption, a relation found in previous studies[58-60].…”

Pre- to post-immigration sexual risk behaviour and alcohol use among recent Latino immigrants in Miami

“…However, contrary to Latino men, Latina women demonstrated an increased number of sexual partners (Sastre et al 2015). Sanchez and colleagues (2014) found similar results in alcohol use from pre- to post-immigration. Overall, there was a significant decline in alcohol use from pre-to post-immigration—with a steeper decline in alcohol use among Latino men comparted to Latina women.…”

“…Because previous research suggests differences in sexual risk behaviour and alcohol use by gender and documentation status (Sastre et al 2015; Sanchez et al 2014), we tested the main and interaction effects of these variables in the next model. In the third mixed model, the three-way interaction of time by sexual risk behaviour categories by gender was not significant ( p =0.7335) nor was the time by gender interaction ( p = 0.2089).…”

“…A number of studies have used retrospective, pre-immigration sexual risk and substance use histories to better understand how the context and environment in the USA may increase risk-taking, especially among individuals who do not report sexual risk and substance use behaviours prior to immigration (Mills et al 2013; Sastre et al 2015; Sanchez et al 2014). Mills and colleagues (2013) examined pre-to post-immigration sexual risk and alcohol behaviour changes among Latino migrant men in the context of Post-Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.…”

Post-immigration Changes in Social Capital and Substance Use Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida: Differences by Documentation Status

“…Moreover, there is a dearth of research documenting the influence of social capital on the substance use behaviors of recent Latino immigrants [30]. Given that Latino immigrants make up the largest influx of immigrants into the United States (US) in the last decade, studying the relationship between social capital and their substance abuse use behaviors is a worthwhile public health research endeavor.…”