The Use of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana by Mexican American Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: A Longitudinal Study of Selected Risk Factors

Authors

  • David S. Katims
  • Zenong Yin
  • Jesse T. Zapata

Abstract

This longitudinal study was designed to examine the causal effects of distal ( at year one of the study) and proximal ( at year three of the study) risk factors for the use of gate'way substances (cigarettes, beer, liquor, and marijuana) by Mexican American adolescents identified with learning disabilities. Distal risk factors consisited of peer deviance/delinquency, school satisfaction, selfesteem, language acculturation, and socialization acculturation. Proximal risk factors included selfreported deviance/delinquency, availablilty of substances in the school and/or neighborhood, and positive attitudes toward substance use. Findings indicate peer deviance/delinquency and socialization acculturation (social activities related to the dominant American society) are powerful risk factors for substance use by this group of adolescents,

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Section

Articles