Eduardo Romano’s research while affiliated with Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation and other places

Familismo, ethnic pride, and ethnic shame were examined as longitudinal predictors of Latinx college student alcohol use and high-risk alcohol-related consequences. Latinx students completed measures during the fall of their first (T1), second (T2), and fourth (T4) year of college. T1 familismo was positively associated with T2 ethnic pride and negatively associated with T2 ethnic shame. T2 ethnic pride was negatively associated with T4 drinking, while T2 ethnic shame was positively associated with T4 drinking. T4 drinking was positively associated with T4 consequences. Results suggest that Latinx ethnic pride and ethnic shame during the second-year of college act as mediators between first-year familismo and fourth-year drinking and consequences.

Background Despite almost 1 in 5 college students being Latinx, research examining risk factors for college alcohol misuse and consequences to inform prevention efforts for Latinx is limited. The current study attempts to address a health disparity among Latinx college students by examining the effects of parental permissiveness of underage drinking and perceived ethnic discrimination on drinking outcomes. Methods Latinx students from three large and geographically diverse public universities (N=215; 73% female) completed measures during the fall of their first (T1) and second (T2) years. Analyses used moderated regression with bootstrapping to obtain asymmetrical 95% confidence intervals. Parental permissiveness of underage drinking and perceived ethnic discrimination were assessed as predictors at T1. Drinking outcomes were assessed at T2 as typical weekly drinking, peak blood alcohol content (BAC), and alcohol-related consequences. Results T1 permissiveness was significantly positively associated with T2 peak BAC. T1 discrimination significantly moderated the association between T1 permissiveness and T2 peak BAC as well as T2 consequences. The effects of T1 permissiveness on T2 peak BAC and T2 consequences were stronger among Latinx who experienced above-average levels of T1 discrimination. Conclusions Results suggest that among Latinx parental permissiveness of underage drinking and perceived ethnic discrimination are risk factors for peak BAC and alcohol-related consequences. The positive associations between parental permissiveness and peak BAC/consequences were stronger among Latinx students who experienced high levels of ethnic discrimination. Efforts to address these risk factors in future culturally sensitive parent-based interventions for Latinx college students are warranted.

Background Riding with a drinking driver (RWDD) is a serious concern that leads to numerous preventable deaths every year. There is a significant gap in research on empirically tested predictors of RWDD that could be implemented in prevention efforts. College students are in need of such prevention efforts, as they have some of the highest rates of alcohol‐related crash fatalities and may RWDD more than their non‐college peers. The current study utilized behavioral decision‐making approach to examine predictors of RWDD and declining a ride from a drinking driver (Decline) in older college students. Methods Students (n=791) in their 3rd year of college were enrolled from 3 large and diverse universities. Psychosocial (e.g., expectancies, norms) and decision‐making variables (willingness to RWDD and intentions to use alternatives) were assessed in the fall of their 3rd year. One year later, RWDD and Decline behaviors were assessed. Zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP) analyses were used to assess how decision‐making variables predicted RWDD and Decline behavior. Associations between psychosocial and decision‐making variables were also assessed. Results Thirteen percent of students reported RWDD and ~28% reported Decline behavior. Willingness to RWDD and typical weekly drinking were both associated with increases in RWDD (OR = 1.58 and 1.40, respectively), whereas intentions to use alternatives, sex, and ethnicity were not associated with RWDD. Only weekly drinking was associated with Decline, with an increase of drinking associated with increased Decline (OR= 1.48). All psychosocial variables were significantly associated with the decision‐making variables except positive expectancies. Conclusions Results provide evidence that willingness to RWDD is a predictor of future RWDD, even if students intend to use safe alternatives. Future research is needed to better understand decision‐making factors that influence Decline. Results also suggest prevention and interventions efforts, such as brief motivational interviewing, Parent‐Based Interventions, and normative feedback interventions could be adapted to reduce RWDD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.