Problem Behavior Theory: An Examination of the Behavior Structure System in Latino and non-Latino College Students

Scholars have proposed that diverse problem and conventional behaviors reflect a single underlying factor; however, others suggest that the strength and pattern of interrelations among problem and conventional behaviors are not consistent across different cultural groups. The present study investigated the factor structure of problem and conventional behaviors in Cuban, non-Cuban Latino, and non-Latino college students. Two hundred and sixty-nine college students (70% women; M age=19.0, SD=2.34) reported on their substance use, and involvement in deviant (e.g., fighting, shoplifting, vandalism) and conventional (e.g., school performance, religiosity) behaviors. In support of the behavior system of Problem Behavior Theory (PBT), a single-common factor accounted for the significant interrelations among the different problem behaviors for the entire sample. However, variations in the number of factor structures emerged by ethnic group and gender, suggesting that the behavior system may operate differently across these groups. A discussion of the role of culture on problem and conventional behaviors is presented.