Understanding ethnicity, identity formation, and risk behavior among adolescents of Mexican descent.

The population of adolescents of Mexican descent is growing rapidly in the United States. However, the health needs of this group are not being adequately addressed by the health care system. Understanding the factors contributing to risk behavior in adolescents of Mexican descent may help improve service delivery and use. This article presents a sociodemographic profile of this group as well as a description of how one's degree of ethnic identification, acculturation, and other risk factors may contribute to problem behavior. Recommendations are provided to increase culturally appropriate prevention programs for youth of Mexican descent.