Linguistic acculturation and the initiation of substance use among Mexican-heritage children from 5th to 7th grade

This study examined whether linguistic acculturation predicts the rates of substance use initiation in a very young sample, and if so, whether the prediction varies by aspect of linguistic acculturation (language use with family, friends, and media) or by gender. Data come from 5th grade students who were part of a randomized trial of the keepin' it REAL prevention program in 32 elementary schools in Phoenix. The analysis uses information from the first five waves, which include baseline in Fall 2004 as well as four follow-up surveys through the end of 7th grade. The analysis focuses on students who self-identified as Mexican or Mexican-American and who were non-users at baseline. The sample size ranges from 1,473 non-users of marijuana to 1,147 non-users of alcohol. No measures of linguistic acculturation predicted the initiation of first alcohol use rates for either boys or girls. For girls, more English language use in the domain of media was associated with higher rates of cigarette use. For boys, all measures of linguistic acculturation were risk factors for marijuana initiation. English language use with family, friends, and media were associated with significantly higher rates of marijuana first use. For both boys and girls, English language use with friends was a protective factor against the initiation of inhalant use.