School Experiences Associated With Alcohol Use Among Hispanic Youth.

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if recent alcohol use and binge drinking was associated with school experiences among Hispanic youth. We performed a secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The NSDUH was administered to Hispanic youth (N = 3457) in the privacy of their own homes. The school experience score was dichotomized into negative and positive school experiences. A total of 13.8% of Hispanic youth reported recent alcohol use, and 8.0% reported that they had engaged in binge drinking. Hispanic youth who reported having negative school experiences were at increased odds for reporting recent alcohol use and binge drinking compared to counterparts with positive school experiences. Specifically, Hispanic students who were at highest risk for reporting recent alcohol use and binge drinking were in the age group 14 to 15 years, and the age group 16 to 17 years who reported having negative school experiences. These findings on school experiences should be considered when developing and implementing school-based prevention programs targeting Hispanic youth.