Results indicate that enhancing ethnic identity may provide a promising route for prevention interventions with Mexican-heritage preadolescents, although it may prove a more effective strategy for Mexican-born members of the group. Perhaps there are different aspects of identity that function differently for each group that can be examined in future research. Work with adolescents suggest that minority youth who are proud of their ethnic group are less likely to consume substances, while majority youth who feel this way are more likely to do so. As a multilayered construct, identity appears to function differently for U.S.-born and Mexican born Mexican-heritage youth. While in some limited circumstances, strong identification may be stressful and lead to a complex mix of positive and negative outcomes for minority youth, the sample in this study appears encouraged to adopt a bicultural orientation, emphasizing both their own ethnic minority culture and the general U.S. culture. This may require an even more sophisticated analysis in future research that also considers a broader range of both individual and societal factors and recognizes the diversity within groups. Findings may suggest that prevention interventions addressing identity issues such as ethnic identity may need to adopt individually tailored or adaptive approaches rather than universal strategies that target group membership. Data were collected from 1,934 fifth grade students attending 29 different public schools in Phoenix, AZ between 2004 and 2005. Tables, glossary, and references