Acculturation in Context: The Relationship between Neighborhoods, Acculturation, and Condom Use among Adolescents

• In Event: 557 - Regular Session. Community Characteristics and Immigrant Well-Being

Abstract

This study examines the question: how does individual acculturation and the acculturation of one’s neighborhood during adolescence influence condom use behaviors for U.S. young adults. Drawing from segmented assimilation theory and theories of neighborhood normative influence, we predict that the introduction of neighborhood-level acculturation measures will better predict sexual risk behaviors than individual-level measures on their own. This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) Waves I and III. Results indicate that immigrant generation and neighborhood proportion foreign born both have a significant effect on condom use for young adults. Furthermore, it is the interaction between individual and neighborhood-level acculturation that helps us to understand not only the nature of the acculturative process, but its impact on sexual risk behaviors for immigrant young adults.

Authors

• Nichola Driver, University of North Texas

• Cynthia M. Cready, University of North Texas

• Michael David Nino, University of North Texas

• Daniel G. Rodeheaver, University of North Texas