Longitudinal associations between adverse childhood experiences and alcohol use and misuse among Mexican-origin adolescents

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic stressors during childhood and are a strong predictor of alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adolescence and into adulthood. Given that Mexican-origin adults exhibit some of the highest rates of heavy drinking, identifying factors that buffer the effects of ACEs among Mexican-origin adolescents is critical. Method: Data were collected between April 2021 and October 2024 in a 3-Wave longitudinal study from a community sample of Mexican-origin youth. Bilingual, bicultural research assistants facilitated data collection. Logistic regression models were employed to examine prospective associations between family-level (e.g., maltreatment) and community-level (neighborhood violence) ACEs and alcohol outcomes. Familism and family cohesion were evaluated as potential protective factors of these associations. Results: The sample included 344 Mexican-origin adolescents (Mage = 15.2 at Wave 3) from northern Indiana, USA. Family-level ACEs at Wave 1 were associated with increased odds of alcohol use at Wave 2 and risky drinking and AUD at Wave 3. Community-level ACEs at Wave 1 were associated with increased odds of risky drinking at Wave 2 only. While familism and family cohesion were negatively associated with alcohol use outcomes, familism at Wave 1 exacerbated the association between family-level ACEs at Wave 1 and alcohol use at Wave 2. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the detrimental effects of ACEs on alcohol related outcomes during adolescence for Mexican-origin youth. While familism and family cohesion may serve as a general protective factor against alcohol use, familism may increase the risk for alcohol use in the context of family-level ACEs (e.g., maltreatment, household dysfunction). Equipping families with tools to strengthen relationships and prevent ACE exposure is crucial for fostering resilience and promoting long-term well-being.