The Longitudinal Relationship Between Acculturation and Alcohol Use Among Immigrant Adolescents in Europe

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between alcohol use among immigrant adolescents living in Europe and their sense of national belonging as well as the ethnic composition of their friendship networks, contributing to the broader discussion on the healthy immigrant effect. To date, the majority of longitudinal studies examining the relationship between acculturation and alcohol use have been conducted in the United States. This study employs a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model, analyzing data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries . The sample includes 5,235 adolescents with an immigrant background living in England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The findings of this study indicate that identification as a foreigner was negatively related to alcohol use over time, whereas identification with the host country was positively associated with alcohol use longitudinally. In line with the immigrant acculturation hypothesis, the proportion of friends from the ethnic background of the host country was longitudinally positively associated with alcohol use. A similar pattern of relationships was observed for alcohol misuse. As demonstrated in the two-part analysis, identification as a foreigner, identification with the host country, and ethnic composition of friendship networks were primarily associated with the initiation of alcohol use rather than the frequency of alcohol use among immigrant adolescents. In conclusion, the promotion of selective acculturation among this group is recommended, especially in view of the increased health risks associated with alcohol use due to immigrants’ lower propensity to utilize preventive healthcare.