Substance Use Disorders Among First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Adults in the United States: Evidence of an Immigrant Paradox?
- 1 November 2014
- journal article
- Published by Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc. in Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
- Vol. 75 (6), 958-967
- https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2014.75.958
Abstract
A growing number of studies have examined the “immigrant paradox” with respect to the use of licit and illicit substances in the United States. However, there remains a need for a comprehensive examination of the multigenerational and global links between immigration and substance use disorders among adults in the United States. The present study, using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, aimed to address these gaps by comparing the prevalence of substance use disorders of first-generation (n = 3,338) and second-generation (n = 2,515) immigrants with native-born American adults (n = 15,733) in the United States. We also examined the prevalence of substance use disorders among first-generation emigrants from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America in contrast to second-generation and native-born Americans. The prevalence of substance use disorders was highest among native-born Americans, slightly lower among second-generation immigrants, and markedly lower among first-generation immigrants. Adjusted risk ratios were largest among individuals who immigrated during adolescence (ages 12–17 years) and adulthood (age 18 years or older). Results were consistent among emigrants from major world regions. Consistent with a broad body of literature examining the links between the immigrant paradox and health outcomes, results suggest that nativity and age at arrival are significant factors related to substance use disorders among first- and second-generation immigrants in the United States.Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- Profiles of acculturation among Hispanics in the United States: links with discrimination and substance useSocial psychiatry. Sozialpsychiatrie. Psychiatrie sociale, 2014
- Domains of Acculturation and Their Effects on Substance Use and Sexual Behavior in Recent Hispanic Immigrant AdolescentsPrevention Science, 2013
- Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Immigrant Paradox in Substance UseJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 2012
- Mexican immigration to the US and alcohol and drug use opportunities: Does it make a difference in alcohol and/or drug use?Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2012
- The Relative Importance of Immigrant Generation for Mexican Americans’ Alcohol and Tobacco Use from Adolescence to Early AdulthoodJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 2012
- Drinking and driving among immigrant and US-born Hispanic young adults: Results from a longitudinal and nationally representative studyAddictive Behaviors, 2011
- Rethinking the concept of acculturation: Implications for theory and research.American Psychologist, 2010
- Immigration Generation Status and its Association with Suicide Attempts, Substance Use, and Depressive Symptoms among Latino Adolescents in the USAPrevention Science, 2008
- Substance Use Among Foreign-Born Youths in the United States: Does the Length of Residence Matter?American Journal of Public Health, 2003
- The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-IV (AUDADIS-IV): reliability of alcohol consumption, tobacco use, family history of depression and psychiatric diagnostic modules in a general population sampleDrug and Alcohol Dependence, 2003