Christopher P Salas-Wright1,2, Seth J Schwartz2, Mariana Cohen3, Mildred M Maldonado-Molina4, Michael G Vaughn5,6, Mariana Sanchez7, José Rodriguez8, Millan AbiNader9, Rachel John3, Kesia Oliveros9, Patricia Andrade10. 1. School of Social Work, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 2. Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Prevention Science & Community Health, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA. 3. School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 4. College of Health & Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. 5. School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. 6. Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 7. Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA. 8. Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret, Orlando, Florida, USA. 9. School of Social Work, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 10. Raices Venezolanas, Doral, Florida, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since 2015, more than four million Venezuelans have fled their once prosperous nation, prompting an ever-intensifying refugee crisis. Recent research with Venezuelan parents suggests that many are exposed to elevated migration-related stress, experience behavioral health problems, and express profound concern for their children's post-migration wellbeing. We examine the relationships between stress, family functioning, and substance use risk with a cultural stress theoretical lens. Methods: Survey data were collected between November 2018 and June 2019 from 402 recently-arrived Venezuelan immigrant youth ages 10-17. Outcomes include perceived discrimination, negative context of reception, family support/communication, and substance use intentions and normative beliefs. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between variables. Results: Structural equation modeling results indicated that negative context of reception was associated with permissive substance use norms (via family communication; B = 0.070, p < .01) and intentions to use (via family support; B = 0.051, p < .01). Discrimination was not mediated by family functioning, rather it exerted a direct effect on substance use norms (β = 0.20, p < .01) and intentions (β = 0.33, p < .001). Discussion: We see clear evidence that negative context of reception and discrimination are related to substance use risk, both directly (in the case of discrimination) and indirectly (in the case of negative context of reception). Given the manifold stressors faced by Venezuelan immigrants both prior to migration and in the process of resettling in the US, it is critical that practitioners and policymakers support this rapidly-growing population.
BACKGROUND: Since 2015, more than four million Venezuelans have fled their once prosperous nation, prompting an ever-intensifying refugee crisis. Recent research with Venezuelan parents suggests that many are exposed to elevated migration-related stress, experience behavioral health problems, and express profound concern for their children's post-migration wellbeing. We examine the relationships between stress, family functioning, and substance use risk with a cultural stress theoretical lens. Methods: Survey data were collected between November 2018 and June 2019 from 402 recently-arrived Venezuelan immigrant youth ages 10-17. Outcomes include perceived discrimination, negative context of reception, family support/communication, and substance use intentions and normative beliefs. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between variables. Results: Structural equation modeling results indicated that negative context of reception was associated with permissive substance use norms (via family communication; B = 0.070, p < .01) and intentions to use (via family support; B = 0.051, p < .01). Discrimination was not mediated by family functioning, rather it exerted a direct effect on substance use norms (β = 0.20, p < .01) and intentions (β = 0.33, p < .001). Discussion: We see clear evidence that negative context of reception and discrimination are related to substance use risk, both directly (in the case of discrimination) and indirectly (in the case of negative context of reception). Given the manifold stressors faced by Venezuelan immigrants both prior to migration and in the process of resettling in the US, it is critical that practitioners and policymakers support this rapidly-growing population.
Entities:
Keywords:
Immigrants; Venezuela; adolescents; asylum seekers; discrimination; substance use
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