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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Alcohol Use Among U.S.-born and Immigrant Latinx Youth: The Roles of Social Support and Stress Hormones.
- Source :
- Journal of Child & Family Studies; Nov2023, Vol. 32 Issue 11, p3568-3580, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- The biobehavioral correlates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among Latinx youth have been strikingly understudied. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the effects of T-ACEs (e.g., maltreatment, family dysfunction) and E-ACEs (e.g., family deportation, community violence) in alcohol use, (2) test whether social support moderate these associations and (3) explore whether ACEs and alcohol use were related via adrenocortical hormones (i.e., cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]). A total of 100 Latinx youth, between the ages of 13 and 19, participated in this study (53% female). Community samples of United States (U.S.)-born (N = 54) and immigrant Latinx (N = 46) youth provided morning saliva samples and completed self-report questionnaires. Results highlighted that for immigrant youth, social support buffered the effects of E-ACEs on alcohol use, F(9,89) = 3.34, p = 0.01, R<superscript>2</superscript> = 0.25. Although our mediation hypothesis was not supported, the direct effects of T-ACEs (β = 0.25, t (94) = 2.21, p = 0.03) and E-ACES (β = −0.24, t (94) = −2.23, p = 0.03) on DHEA were significant for the entire sample. Preventing maltreatment and reducing community-level adversities seem critical for optimal child development, as exposure to these may increase alcohol use risk and affect HPA Axis functioning. Increasing extrafamilial support may be particularly salient for immigrant Latinx youth, as many experience extended immigration-related periods of separation from family members. Highlights: We studied the biobehavioral correlates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among U.S.-born and immigrant Latinx youth. For immigrants, support from friends and adults buffered the effect of Expanded ACEs on alcohol use, emphasizing the importance of extrafamilial support. In the total sample, ACEs were significantly related to stress hormone DHEA, highlighting that ACEs can affect HPA axis functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SALIVA analysis
HISPANIC Americans
ADVERSE childhood experiences
IMMIGRANTS
BIRTHPLACES
SOCIAL support
BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL model
VIOLENCE in the community
CHILD abuse
SELF-evaluation
FAMILY support
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE
POST-traumatic stress disorder
RISK assessment
ALCOHOL drinking
RESEARCH funding
DEPORTATION
FACTOR analysis
QUESTIONNAIRES
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
PSYCHOLOGICAL stress
HYDROCORTISONE
ADOLESCENCE
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10621024
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Child & Family Studies
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 173626443
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02550-y