The Protective Effects of Biculturalism and Ecodevelopmental Factors on Substance Use Among Hispanic/Latino Adolescents

Greater levels of acculturation, the changes that individuals experience as a result of integration into a new culture have been associated with increased substance use among Hispanics. Many acculturation studies, however, have studied acculturation unidimensionally. Unidimensional models of acculturation are limited since they do not account for the possibility of individuals embracing/endorsing both their Hispanic heritage and American cultural practices. Berry’s (1997) theory of acculturation typologies provides, conceptually, a bidimensional model of acculturation that accounts for individuals that endorse both cultures, otherwise known as biculturalism. The present study, utilizing an ecodevelopmental framework, examined the relationship of Berry’s acculturation typologies to past 90-day substance use. Additionally, the degree to which family functioning, school bonding, and peer drug use attitudes/norms mediated the effects of acculturation typology on substance use were analyzed in a sample of Latino adolescents (N =1141). The Bicultural Involvement Questionnaire (BIQ), designed specifically for Hispanic populations, consisted of two scales that assessed the degree of individual comfort in American (Americanism) culture and Hispanic culture (Hispanicism) independently. Cut-off scores for the Hispanicism and Americanism scales were used to determine acculturation typologies; all four of Berry’s acculturation orientations including marginalized (Low Hispanicism, Low Americanism), assimilated (Low Hispanicism, High Americanism), separated (High Hispanicism, Low Americanism), and bicultural/integrated (High Hispanicism, High Americanism) were represented in this sample. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of acculturation typologies on past 90-day substance use. Compared with the marginalized group, the assimilated (b = -1.23, p < .001), separated (b = -1.03, p < .001), and bicultural/integrated (b = -.83, p < .01) groups were associated with lower substance use. Bicultural/integrated adolescents had significantly greater family functioning (b = 1.02, p < .05) than marginalized youth. In turn, family functioning was associated with positive school bonding (b = 1.02, p < .001), peer drug use attitudes/norms (b = .43, p < .001), and lower past 90-day substance use (b = -.18, p < .001). Previous studies have posited that acculturation to American culture is a risk for substance use and that retention of heritage culture is protective against substance use. Findings from this study suggest that the combination of Americanism and Hispanicism together was most important in relation to family functioning and substance use. Although the separated, assimilated, and bicultural groups had lower substance use, only the bicultural/integrated group had greater family functioning. Bicultural youth may be better able to navigate both Hispanic and American cultures more effectively and may subsequently help adolescents adapt to various situations and people from both cultures in positive ways. As the Hispanic population continues to grow over the next few decades, social workers will likely be working increasingly with individuals that relate to both Hispanic and American culture. Findings from this study may provide better understanding for social workers working with this population as well as prevention efforts targeting substance use.