Language Use and Initiation of Alcohol Use Among New York City Hispanic Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between language use and initiation of alcohol use among Hispanic adolescents (Puerto Rican, Dominican, Colombian, Ecaudorian). Logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents who spoke Spanish with their parents had lower odds of having had a drink relative to adolescents who spoke English and Spanish with their parents. Adolescents who only spoke English with their friends had lower odds of drinking relative to adolescents who spoke English and Spanish with their friends. Social influences to drink and being Dominican or Colombian also predicted alcohol use. Analyses were also conducted separately by sex. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for prevention.