The United States is experiencing the largest wave of immigration in its history (see also, Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, 2001) Immigration from Latin American countries is disproportionately driving this trend, making Latinos the fastest growing sociodemographic group in the nation (Gil, Wagner & Vega, 2000; U.S. Census Bureau, 2001a). In July 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the Latino population had reached 38.8 million individuals, making this the largest minority group in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003a).

The Latino population is important not only because it is growing rapidly, but also because of the risk factors this heterogeneous group faces. Compared to non-Latino Anglos, Latinos are more likely to be under age 18, unemployed, reside in large family households, and live in poverty (Ramirez & de la Cruz, 2003; U.S. Census Bureau, 2001b). Empirical researchers have also illuminated problematic outcomes for the acculturation process, showing that increasing levels of assimilation are associated with negative health behaviors and mental health difficulties (Miranda, Estrada & Firpo-Jimenez, 2000). In comparison to less assimilated peers, more assimilated Latinos display higher levels of alcohol use, less consumption of balanced, healthy meals, and more consumption of marijuana, cocaine or both (Amaro, Whitaker, Cofman & Heeren, 1990; Marks, Garcia & Solts, 1990; Vega, Kolody, Aguilar-Gaxiola, Alderete, Catalano & Caraveo-Anduaga, 1998). Thus, it is critical for social workers to understand and be able to fashion effective programs for this increasingly important minority group.

This symposium addresses four critical questions. 1) How do risk and protective factors function in promoting or preventing internalizing and externalizing problems in Latino youth? The first paper maps risk and protective factors, and examines direct effects, mediation pathways, and moderation effects. 2) What are the most advantageous ways of measuring acculturation and biculturalism? The second paper compares multiple methods for operationalizing acculturation and biculturalism so that social work researchers can make strategic choices when conducting acculturation research. 3) How do Latino adolescents construct monocultural, bicultural, or multicultural identities? The third paper uses extensive qualitative data to investigate the complex process of cultural identity development. 4) How effective are culturally-based prevention programs? The fourth paper evaluates a culturally-grounded substance abuse prevention program called “keepin’ it REAL”.

These papers move our social work research knowledge forward by addressing critical acculturation issues for Latino adolescents. As a whole, the symposium will benefit participants by furthering our understanding of risk factors, protective factors, and cultural identity development, by addressing methodological decisions, and by offering effective prevention approaches for social work research and practice with Latino adolescents.