Ethnic Identity and Risky Health Behaviors in School-Age Mexican-American Children

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between ethnic identity and risky health behaviors in 1,892 Mexican-American students ( M age=14.6, SD = 1.35; 50.3% male) in South Texas. The Ethnic Identity Scale assessed ethnic identity and questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey measured risky health behaviors (mixed use of alcohol and drugs, heavy drinking, driving under the influence, regular marijuana use, regular cigarette smoking, lack of regular exercise, not eating breakfast regularly, and carrying a gun or knife to school). Logistic regression tested the relationships between ethnic identity and report of risky health behaviors controlling for potential confounders (sex, free school lunch status, grade, and self-reported school grade). Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and confidence intervals were calculated. Results indicated that being associated with Mexican-American cultural identity was significantly associated with a decreased mixed use of alcohol and drugs (AOR=.97), heavy drinking (AOR=.98), and regular marijuana use (AOR=.97). A stronger ethnic identity was protective against engaging in risky health behaviors among these Mexican-American adolescents.