Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2016
Publication Title
Ann Behav Med.
Abstract
Background—Prior research suggests that stronger racial/ethnic identification offsets negative effects of discrimination on substance use. Yet research in this area and on whether gender modifies this association is limited for Latina/os.
Purpose—The purpose of the present study is to examine whether different sources of discrimination (everydayand racial/ethnic) are associated with substance use (alcohol use disorder, smoking), if racial/ethnic identity buffers this association, and the potential moderating role of gender among these variables.
Methods—We present cross-sectional, US population-based data from the Latina/o adult sample (1427 females and 1127 males) of the National Latino and Asian American Study. Respondents completed self-reported measures ofeverydayand racial/ethnic discrimination, racial/ethnic identity, smoking status, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) lifetime alcohol use disorder.
Results—Weighted logistic regression analyses showed that before inclusion of three-way interactions and adjusting for covariates, everyday discrimination predicted increased risk for any DSM-IV lifetime alcohol use disorders. Moderation analyses revealed that the effect of everyday discrimination on the risk of being a current smoker was strongest for Latino men with high levels of racial/ethnic identity compared to those with low racial/ethnic identity. No differences were
noted among Latino women. There were no main or interaction effects of racial/ethnic discrimination for any substance use outcome.
Conclusions—Findings suggest differential associations for type of discrimination and outcome and that the role of racial/ethnic identity is gender-specific for smoking, appearing particularly detrimental for Latino men reporting high levels of racial/ethnic identity.
Keywords
Gender, Hispanics, Cigarette smoking, Alcohol disorders, Health behaviors, Intersectionality
Volume
50
Issue
1
First Page
1191
Last Page
129
DOI
10.1007/s12160-015-9738-8
Rights
Licensed to Smith College and distributed CC-BY under the Smith College Faculty Open Access Policy.
Recommended Citation
Molina, Kristine M.; Jackson, Benita; and Rivera-Olmedo, Noemi, "Discrimination, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Substance Use Among Latina/os: Are They Gendered?" (2016). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/2
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.