Acculturation Pressures and Substance Use Among Latino Populations in the U.S.

Authors

• Julie Misiewicz, Chapman UniversityFollow
• Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-MacPhail, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-6-2026

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-MacPhail

Abstract

In 2001, the Office of the Surgeon General classified Latinos with substance use disorders as a vulnerable population (Villalobos & Bridges, 2018). Although Guerrero et al. (2013) found that rates of substance use among Latinos were comparable to or exceeded those of other ethnic groups, disparities remain in access to and quality of treatment. Early adulthood is considered a high-risk period for substance use, yet Latino individuals may face additional pressures during this developmental stage while exploring identity and navigating acculturation (Unger et al., 2014). Despite documented links between acculturation pressures and substance use, little was understood about how these pressures affected Latinos during emerging adulthood and whether the relationship between acculturation pressures and substance use differed across communities with varying Latino population densities. Guided by acculturation theory, this study hypothesized that higher acculturation pressures would be associated with greater substance use among Latinos in the United States. The relationship was expected to be stronger among younger Latino adults and men, and weaker among those in high-density Latino communities. Participants recruited from Chapman University and Amazon Mechanical Turk completed a correlational survey assessing acculturation stress and substance use. No hypotheses were supported. However, these findings helped address systemic inequities in healthcare and substance use treatment, particularly among Latino youth, by highlighting how limited access to culturally supportive communities exacerbates disparities.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2026 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

Recommended Citation

Misiewicz, Julie and Crevecoeur-MacPhail, Dr. Desiree, "Acculturation Pressures and Substance Use Among Latino Populations in the U.S." (2026). Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters. 819.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cusrd_abstracts/819