Examining Predictors of Recent Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking among a Nationally Representative Sample of Hispanic Adolescents

Background: Hispanic adolescents are at increased risk for alcohol use and binge drinking. Research is needed to more thoroughly understand the variables involved with such high rates of alcohol use. The present study examined whether authoritarian parenting (e.g., parents never/seldom told their youth good job), school experiences (e.g., how students felt about going to school), depression, legal problems (e.g., being arrested, on parole, or probation) and perceived social norms of their peers using alcohol predicted recent alcohol use and binge drinking (past 30 days) among a nationally representative sample of Hispanic adolescents. Methods: A secondary data analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health including 3,457 Hispanic adolescents was performed. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed via univariate logistic regression analyses and variables that were significant in these analyses were retained and included in the final multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Results indicated that in the past 30 days 13.8% of Hispanic adolescents drank alcohol and 8.0% binge drank. Statistically significant predictors were age, authoritarian parenting, school experiences, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of peer alcohol use. Analyses revealed that Hispanic adolescents at highest risk for use were 16 to 17 years of age, experienced authoritarian parenting (e.g., parents never/seldom told them good job), lacked positive school experiences, had legal problems, and perceived that most students at their school drank alcohol. Conclusions: These results should be considered when developing and implementing alcohol prevention efforts for Hispanic adolescents. Additional implications and recommendations based on the findings are provided.