Testing a Multidimensional Acculturation Model on Latinos who Completed Substance Abuse Treatment

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BEHAVIORAL AND ATTITUDINAL ACCULTURATION ON LATINX IMMIGRANTS AND U.S.-BORN LATINXS: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ACCULTURATION MODEL

Disparities in access and utilization of substance abuse treatment (SAT) among Latinxs, accentuated by this population's rapid growth, create a public health issue. Although substance abuse literature has given more consideration to environmental factors and social support concerning treatment outcomes, current substance abuse models fail to address important contextual and cultural aspects for Latinxs in recovery, including acculturation. The proposed study aims to test out a multidimensional acculturation model on a sample of 131 Latinxs (M_age= 36.3; SD±10.4, 117 males, 49% immigrants) who recently completed SAT. Specifically, the proposed study employed a conditional process model using the PROCESS Macro for SPSS to examine the association between behavioral acculturation and substance use behavior in the past six months on nativity status at different levels of attitudinal acculturation. Results yielded that, after controlling for age and substance use, higher endorsement of U.S. mainstream cultural practices was associated with a higher frequency of days using alcohol among Latinx immigrants, specifically those reporting high and very high affiliation to the U.S. mainstream culture. Also, a negative association between U.S. mainland-born Latinx and frequency of days using illicit drugs in the past six months was observed, but only among those who endorse very high affiliation of U.S. mainstream culture.

The Role of Familismo and Acculturation as Moderators of the Association Between Family Conflict and Substance Abuse on Latino Adult Males

The significant research gap on Latino adults who completed substance abuse treatment (SAT) impacts the provision of substance use prevention and treatment for this population. Given the need for culturally-appropriate SAT for Latinos, research that examines the role of cultural constructs and acculturation in relation to substance use behavior is warranted. The purpose of the present study is to test, based on the social control theory, a multiple moderation model using the PROCESS macro1 to examine the moderating effect of Familismo on the association between history of family conflict and years of substance abuse on Latino males who completed SAT at different levels of acculturation (i.e., cultural orientation). Generational status (i.e., immigrant, U. S. born) and age are used as covariates. A total of 117 Latino male participants (Mage= 37, 54% non-U.S. born with a mean length of stay of 19 years in the U.S.) who completed SAT from facilities located in the metropolitan area of Chicago completed self-report measures. Results from the multiple moderation analysis showa significant three-way interaction (family conflict × Familismo × acculturation), indicating that participants with Latino and bicultural orientation who endorse average to high levels of Familismo have fewer years of substance abuse compared to those with U.S. mainstream culture orientation and low Familismo. Findings illustrate the need for SAT that assesses for family conflict and integrates cultural aspects to reduce substance use behavior on Latino males.