SUBSTANCE USE AMONG TEXAS HISPANICS AND NON-HISPANICS - WHOS USING, WHOS NOT, AND WHY

The prevalence of past-year and lifetime substance use, problem indicators, and the most important reasons for abstaining (among nonusers) were compared between Texas Hispanics and non-Hispanics, as well as among three subgroups of Hispanics who represented different levels of acculturation: Mexican born (i.e., least acculturated), U.S. born but relatively unacculturated, and U.S. born/highly acculturated, In general, prevalence rates among Hispanics increased as a function of U.S. acculturation, with the most acculturated group's rates mom closely resembling non-Hispanics than Mexican-born Hispanics. There were also significant variations by level of acculturation in the reasons given for abstinence. Whereas health was the most commonly cited reason for abstinence regardless of ethnicity, other important reasons (e.g., moral reasons versus influence of family and friends) varied significantly by ethnicity and acculturation. Results are interpreted with special regard to prevention.