The Relationship between Acculturation, Collectivism, Individualism and Alcohol Use in Mexican Descent Adults Living In The Kansas City Regional Area

Abstract

Several research studies have consistently reported that as Hispanic immigrants become acculturated to American society, their risk for alcohol use disorders increases sharply. However, many of these studies have used only proxy measures of acculturation, and most of them have used a one-dimensional paradigm of acculturation. This study examined the role of individualism and collectivism in the relationship between acculturation and alcohol use in a sample of 236 Mexican descent adults living in the Kansas City regional area. A bilinear model of acculturation where the level of enculturation is taken into account was incorporated in my analysis. The results of a multiple logistic regression analysis showed no significant relationship between individualism, collectivism, acculturation or enculturation level and alcohol use. In my results, I specify potential reasons why my sample did not replicate this consistently reported relationship and discuss possible implications along with directions for future studies in this area.