Even though the number of Hispanic individuals living in the United States continues to increase, there are disparities in studies looking at substance use in this sub-population. Some research has shown that there is an increase in rates of marijuana use among these individuals. The current study looks at acculturation stress, trait self-esteem, and marijuana use among Hispanic college students.

204 college students with a mean age of 20 were recruited for this study. They were all self-identified as Hispanic and 70% were female. Participants were asked about their ethnic identity using the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure. They also measured acculturative stress using the Affirmation/Belonging subscale. This asked participants questions such as “I have a lot of pride in my ethnic group.” Self-esteem was measured using the ten-item Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. This asked questions such as “I feel that I have a number of good qualities.” Lifetime marijuana use was measured asking if they have ever used marijuana, hash, THC, or grass. 35.8% of participants answered yes to this question.

Results showed there was no difference between men and women for lifetime marijuana use. They also showed marijuana use and trait self-esteem were not found to be correlated. It was found that self-esteem did not mediated the relation between acculturative stress either.  There was a negative correlation between acculturative stress and likelihood of reporting lifetime marijuana use. This finding did prove to be significant. Further studies should focus on other facets of acculturation and how it may impact college student’s substance use. Overall, findings point to the potential of acculturative stress having a negative impact on substance use and colleges may benefit by providing services that address this form of stress specifically.

Take Away: The current study looks at acculturation stress, trait self-esteem, and marijuana use among Hispanic college students. 204 college students were recruited all self-identifying as Hispanic. Measures includes ethnic identity, acculturative stress, self-esteem, and lifetime marijuana use. Marijuana use and trait self-esteem were not found to be correlated. It was found that self-esteem did not mediated the relation between acculturative stress either.  Researchers found a negative correlation between acculturative stress and likelihood of reporting lifetime marijuana use. These findings point to the potential of acculturative stress having a negative impact on substance use and colleges may benefit by providing services that address this form of stress specifically.

Yockey, R. A., Brown, J. L., Littlefield, A. K., & Talley, A. E. (2020). Self-esteem, Acculturative Stress, and Marijuana Use Among Hispanic College Students. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 42(3), 416–425. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739986320937478