The Role of Cultural and Gender Values in Alcohol Use Patterns among Chicana/Latina High School and University Students: Implications for AIDS Prevention

Abstract

This paper presents preliminary findings of two studies conducted with Chicana/Latina secondary and university students. Ninety-four women were surveyed concerning alcohol and drug use, behavioral efficacy, knowledge of HIV infection, and sexual practices. In addition, two focus groups were conducted in the high school and four in the university. The focus groups examined the women's perception of the role of cultural values and family communication in their ability to prevent high risk behaviors (alcohol and drug use, unsafe sexual practices). The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of Chicano scholarship, health promotion, and methodological issues in research with Latinas.

Adolescent Use of Two Types of HIV Prevention Agencies

“…The Hispanic youth may have felt that the geographically-based agencies were there to help them learn about health issues, especially safer sex, which is something that may not be discussed in more traditional families (Flores-Ortiz, 1994;Raffaelli & Ontai, 2001). Unfortunately, we do not know how acculturated these youth were, which may have also influenced them to seek the medical and psychosocial services, as has been found in other studies (Barker & Adelman, 1994;Kuhl et al, 1997;Srebnik et al, 1996;Stanton-Salazar et al, 2001).…”

“…They found that males who were poor academic performers were the least likely to seek help for either academic or personal problems. Regarding help-seeking practices of Hispanic adolescents, studies have found that they were less likely to turn to their families for help with concerns regarding sexuality and high risk behaviors, particularly if their families were more traditional (Flores-Ortiz, 1994;Raffaelli & Ontai, 2001).…”

Pathways to Sexual Risk Reduction: Gender Differences and Strategies for Intervention

“…Literature reviews suggest that decisions to engage in protected or unprotected sex may be made most often by the male partner (Amaro, 1995;McCusker et al, 1993;Rhodes et al, 1996). In addition, for women, direct attempts to reduce sexual risk via condom use may conflict with values of intimacy and trust and with gender roles of modesty and submissiveness (see also Flores-Ortiz, 1994;Hobfoll et al, 1994;Lear, 1995;Wingood and DiClemente, 1998). On the other hand, women may exert indirect control over sexual activity via mate selection and managing the pace and circumstances of sexual intimacy (e.g., Fisher and Gray, 1988;Peplau et al, 1993Peplau et al, , 1977.…”

Acculturation status and heavy alcohol use among Mexican American college students: Investigating the moderating role of gender

“…Researchers contend that strong sanctions against alcohol use exist for women compared to men in many non-White ethnic groups including Latinos (Gilbert & Collins, 1997). In one study, Latina adolescents agreed that Latino culture condoned drinking among men, but not women (Flores-Ortiz, 1994). Such cultural norms regarding the use of alcohol suggest that gender may infl uence the relation between acculturation and drinking behaviors in Latino populations.…”