Method: The nationally representative sample of 1,584 Asian American adolescents grade 7 to 12 were analyzed using a longitudinal design. Logistic regression was used to exam Asian American adolescents’ health risky behaviors at Wave I (in 1995) and II (in 1996). Acculturation was measured by using two variables: speaking English at home and the place of birth. Four groups were categorized: group (1) English, U. S. born; group (2) English, foreign born; group (3) No English, U. S. born; group (4) No English, foreign born.
Results: One way ANOVA revealed that most acculturated
group, group 1 had the greatest propensity to engage in all health risk
behaviors. A series of logistic regression were performed.
All the demographic and background variables were used from Wave I (baseline).
Using group 1 as a reference, In Wave I, a remarkably consistent
and statistically significant pattern was evident in that compared to the
most acculturated group (group 1), the least acculturated group (group
4)’s odds of using tobacco, consuming alcohol, and having sexual intercourse
were lowered by 97%, 77%, and 68% respectively. However, when used
Wave II health risk behavior variables as outcome variables, the least
acculturated group (group 4) became no longer statistically significant.
Instead, group 3’s odds of using tobacco and consuming alcohol were lower
compared to group 1.
Implications for practice: These results reflect that as Asian
American adolescents expose and socialize in American culture, they increasingly
adopt health risk behaviors. A clear finding was that not using English
at home showed as protective factor. This provides new insights into
the protective role of maintaining traditional culture and language.