Session: Acculturation and Health Behavior in Latino Adolescents: Advances in Statistical Modeling of Mediation Processes and Longitudinal Trajectories (Research that Promotes Sustainability and (re)Builds Strengths (January 15 - 18, 2009))

The United States is currently experiencing the largest wave of immigration in its history (Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, 2001; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). Immigration from Latin American countries is disproportionately driving this trend, making Latinos the fastest growing socio-demographic group and the largest minority group in the nation (Gil, Wagner & Vega, 2000; U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Compared to non-Latino Whites, Latinos are more likely to be under age 18, unemployed, reside in large family households, and live in poverty (Ramirez & de la Cruz, 2003). Further, many Latino families are adjusting to life in the United States. Forty percent of the Latino population in the United States is foreign born and 52% of this foreign-born group entered the country between 1990 and 2002 (Ramirez & de La Cruz, 2003). These statistics underscore the importance and timeliness of this symposium's topic. With politicians battling over immigration reform on the national stage, it is critical for social work researchers to understand how immigration and acculturation dynamics influence Latino families.

This symposium will examine how immigration and acculturation influences family dynamics and family system traits, and how these traits, in turn, impact adolescent problem behavior. Latino adolescent health outcomes, such as alcohol and drug use, sexuality, and aggressive behavior will be examined. The presentations included in this symposium move the acculturation field forward by using advanced Structural Equation Modeling techniques to go beyond the basic association between acculturation and adolescent outcomes into delineating complex mediation and moderation effects using longitudinal data. Indeed, one of the presentations also uses Hierarchical Linear Modeling to examine predictors of longitudinal trajectories of adolescent aggression over time spent in the United States. This is some of the most sophisticated quantitative research on acculturation to date.

These topics have rich implications for practice, policy, and future research. Acculturation risk factors and cultural assets will be mapped as strong mediating targets for future prevention programming. New longitudinal approaches to research with Latino families will be discussed. Finally, implications for practice will be put forth.