Preventing Smoking Among Hispanic Preadolescents: Program Orientation, Participant Individualism-Collectivism, and Acculturation

The present study examined the role of individualism-collectivism (IC) and acculturation in smoking prevention programs for Hispanic preadolescents. The sixth graders received a collectivist or individualist curriculum. Both programs contained knowledge-based facts about smoking. The collectivist co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hispanic journal of behavioral sciences 2012-05, Vol.34 (2), p.323-339
Main Authors: Lopez, Stella G., Garza, Raymond T., Gonzalez-Blanks, Ana G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acculturation
Attitudes
Behavioral Sciences
Consciousness
Curricula
Curriculum
Grade 6
Health
Health Programs
Hispanic Americans
Hispanic students
Individualism
Interaction
Measurement
Middle Schools
Perceptions
Preadolescents
Prevention
Prevention programs
Program Effectiveness
Program Implementation
Smoking
Smoking cessation
Student Attitudes
Student Behavior
Texas
Threat
Youth
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Summary:The present study examined the role of individualism-collectivism (IC) and acculturation in smoking prevention programs for Hispanic preadolescents. The sixth graders received a collectivist or individualist curriculum. Both programs contained knowledge-based facts about smoking. The collectivist condition included an interdependent (group-oriented) perspective of smoking, while the individualist condition had an independent (individual-oriented) perspective. Measurements assessing attitudes and behaviors were taken before and after the implementation. Compared to the individualist program, Hispanic youth in the collectivist condition reported greater awareness about the dangers of smoking, revealed more accurate and healthier perceptions, and expressed restraint in engaging in unhealthy behaviors. Acculturation effects depended on participants’ IC characteristic. This research showed the utility of cultural dimensions in health programs for Hispanic youth. It also blends basic and applied research in furthering the prevention of smoking among minority youth.
ISSN:0739-9863
1552-6364
DOI:10.1177/0739986311435901