Childhood Abuse, Religious Involvement, and Substance Abuse Among Latino-American Men in the United States

Childhood abuse/victimization and subsequent substance abuse are significant behavioral health problems among developed countries. In the United States (U.S.), however, few studies have examined whether this early trauma exacerbates adulthood substance abuse, viewed as a negative coping strategy, among Latino-American men. Furthermore, little is known about how collectivist cultural factors (i.e., ethnic identity, social support, and religious involvement), indicating potentially positive coping resources, were related to substance abuse in this largest minority-male population. We investigated Latino-American men (N = 1127) in a nationally representative U.S. sample, using logistic regression analysis adjusting known demographic and acculturation correlates. The results identified considerably elevated rates of childhood physical abuse/victimization (35.7 %) and lifetime substance abuse (17.3 %). Childhood physical (not sexual) abuse/victimization was positively associated with lifetime substance abuse, alongside age, being U.S.-born, and perceived discrimination. Latino-American men with lifetime substance abuse reported more religious coping. Findings may contribute to the design of culturally competent behavioral care.