Psychiatric Symptoms, Parental Attachment, and Reasons for Use as Correlates of Heavy Substance Use Among Treatment-Seeking Hispanic Adolescents.

In early adolescence, Hispanics self-report higher drug use rates compared to White and African American peers. Among adolescent users, heavy users have more negative behavioral and health consequences. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine whether psychiatric symptoms, parental attachment, and reasons for use predict heavy alcohol and illicit drug use (more than 10 times in the past three months) among Hispanic adolescents. METHODS: This study examines baseline data from a study evaluating a family based substance abuse treatment program for Hispanic adolescents. Participants were 14-17 years old (N = 156, 44% female). Adolescent reports on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Predictive Scales measured psychiatric symptoms of major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and anxiety. The Personal Experiences Inventory measured type and amount of drug use, as well as perceived social and psychological benefits of drug use. The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment measured trust, communication, and alienation between adolescents and their mothers. Logistic regression identified correlates of heavy alcohol use and heavy illicit drug use among Hispanic adolescents. RESULTS: Higher social benefits were associated with increased likelihood of heavy alcohol use. Conduct disorder, higher levels of maternal attachment, lower levels of acculturation, and higher levels of psychological benefits of use were associated with an increased likelihood of heavy illicit drug use. CONCLUSION: These findings support the assumption that substance use treatment among Hispanic adolescents must be capable of addressing co-occurring psychiatric disorders, familial relationships, and the individual reasons/motivators to use.

Caregiver Perceptions of Clinical Decision-Making for the Treatment of Children.

Many sources of information impact one's clinical decision-making (CDM) (e.g. clinical intuition, previous experience, research results). Relatively little is known about the clients' perspectives of these factors. The current study is an examination of perceptions of the favorability of various CDM influences held by caregivers of children presenting for mental health treatment (n = 371). Responses to a questionnaire showed that caregivers overwhelmingly favored a treatment decision based on current scientific research, with one's clinical experience being the second most favored influence. Other influences, such as colleague consultation and clinical intuition, were less favorable.

Self-harm among Hispanic adolescents: investigating the role of culture-related stressors.

PURPOSE: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. Research shows Hispanic adolescents report disproportionate rates of both suicidal ideation and attempts. The purpose of the present study was twofold. First, the present study aimed to document the presence of suicidal ideation and self-harm behavior in a large heterogeneous sample of Hispanic adolescents. Second, this study sought to identify specific and unique culturally relevant stressors that were associated with the higher self-reported suicidal thoughts and self-harm among Hispanic males and females separately. METHODS: Data were collected on 1,651 Hispanic adolescents who completed the Hispanic Stress Inventory-Adolescent Version. RESULTS: Results of both rates and culture-related stressors that associated with the high rates of suicidal ideation are presented. Of the eight subscales measured in the Hispanic Stress Inventory-Adolescent, four subscales were predictive of either suicidal ideation or self-harm. For males, Acculturation Gap Stress was associated with suicidal thoughts and Discrimination Stress was associated with both suicidal thoughts and self-harm behavior. For females, Family Drug Stress was associated with suicidal thoughts. Acculturation Gap Stress, Family Drug Stress, and Immigration Stress were all significantly associated with self-harm behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Findings are discussed as they inform future culturally competent prevention interventions and future research studies.

Peer influence: use of alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medications.

OBJECTIVE: Risk-taking behavior (e.g., alcohol abuse, tobacco usage, misuse of prescription medications) among college students is a widespread problem. This study focused not only on the frequency of risky health behaviors in college students, but also the companions with whom they engaged in such behaviors. METHODS: Three hundred and twelve college students completed a survey examining the frequency with which they engaged in alcohol, tobacco, and improper prescription medication use, as well as with whom they were most likely to engage in these behaviors. RESULTS: Results indicated that participants were most likely to take health risks when accompanied by someone they consider a friend. Results also indicated gender differences in risk-taking behaviors, as well as an interaction effect between companion and gender. CONCLUSIONS: This information would be useful when developing preventive interventions for college students. Implementing interventions that are specific to certain populations might generate greater success in reducing risk-taking behavior.