Acculturation and the Risk of Violence among Hispanic/Latino Youth Signature Program for Child Health Research Theresa Cruz, PhD Research Scientist III Department of Pediatrics February 24, 2010

2 Theoretical Framework Acculturation Acculturation Stress Sociodemographic Variables Negative Behaviors Exacerbating FactorsProtective Factors Normative Behavior Violent Outcomes

3 Study Design National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health Adolescents – grades 7-12 Random probability sample of 80 US high schools and 52 feeder middle schools Stratified on region, urbanicity, school size, school type, ethnicity, and grade span Over-sampling of Hispanics In-home interviews using laptops Source: Harris, KM, Florey, F, Tabor, D, Barr, A, & Udry, JR (2003). The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health: Research Design. Available from

4 Sample Population Add Health Survey Waves I & II Hispanic/Latino Respondents N = 2,298 Excluding those Missing Acculturation Data N = 2,234 Excluding those Missing Outcome Data N = 2,214 (fighting); N = 2,208 (injury) Excluding those Missing Covariate Data N = 2,069 (fighting); N = 2,065 (injury)

5 Analysis Multivariable logistic regression Logit (interpersonal violence) = ß0 + ß1 (PAS3) + ß2 (age group) + ß3 (welfare status) + ß4 (poor teacher relationships) + ß5 (access to firearm) + ß6 (knowing someone who committed suicide) Effect modification Gender Country of origin

6 Results Outcome Unadjusted OR Adjusted OR† Fighting 2.36 (1.56, 3.56) 2.32 (1.50, 3.58) Fight-related injury 2.21 (0.91, 5.35) 1.85 (0.88, 3.89) OR = Odds Ratio; † Models adjusted for age group, welfare status, access to firearm, poor teacher relationships and knowing someone who committed suicide Outcome Adjusted OR† Males Adjusted OR† Females Fighting 1.92 (1.10, 3.33) 2.99 (1.45, 6.19)