Hispanic/Latino Adolescents' Alcohol Use: Influence of Family Structure, Perceived Peer Norms, and Family Members' Alcohol Use

Abstract

Background: Family structure and value system among Hispanic/Latino population are changing. However, very few studies have examined the combination of the influence of family structure, parental and sibling alcohol use, perceived peer norms about drinking, and alcohol use among Hispanic/Latino adolescents. Purpose: This study examined the associations among family structure, parental and sibling substance use, perceived peer norms toward drinking, and alcohol use among a sample of adolescents in the United States. Methods: We assessed cross-sectional data from a 2010 study of 1523 high school students from a school district in Los Angeles. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 23. Results: Our results indicate that family structure was not significantly associated with adolescents' alcohol use. Having family members who consumed alcohol, perception of close friends' attitudes toward drinking, and perceived drinking prevalence among peers increased the likelihood of drinking. Discussion: Findings suggest that alcohol use behaviors of members of the family unit, perception of drinking prevalence among peers, and perception of friends attitude to drinking (not their actual drinking behavior) increased the likelihood of drinking. Translation to Health Education Practice: We call for health education specialists to develop awareness programs targeted at correcting adolescents' normative perceptions toward alcohol use prevalence among their peers.