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Academics and Substance Use among Latino Adolescents: Results from a National Study

NCJ Number
236026
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2011 Pages: 147-161
Author(s)
Ellen L. Vaughan; Lisa Kratz; Julie D'Argent
Date Published
June 2011
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the relationship between academic factors and past-year alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use of adolescent Latinos.
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between academic factors and past-year alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use in an adolescent sample of Latinos. Secondary data analysis was conducted using a subsample of Latino adolescents (N = 2,593) from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. School connectedness and parental involvement in school were protective across all substances. Fighting in school increased the risk for use of all substances, and failing grades increased the risk for alcohol and marijuana use. Implications for prevention include the development of prevention programs that aim to increase students' connection to school and increase parental involvement. (Published Abstract)