Examining promotive and protective effects of ethnic identity on alcohol and cannabis use among Black young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Experiences of racial discrimination among Black Americans are associated with numerous adverse behavioral health outcomes, including risk for substance use. Research has shown ethnic identity to be directly related to reduced substance use risk among Black Americans, as well as mitigate substance use risk as a consequence of exposure to racial discrimination. However, whether the specific facet of ethnic identity (affirmation and exploration), is related to the relationship between racial discrimination and problem substance use based on substance type is unclear. Thus, the current study examined 1) the association between ethnic identity (affirmation and exploration) and problem alcohol and cannabis use, and 2) whether ethnic identity affirmation or exploration moderates the association between racial discrimination and problem substance use among a sample of Black young adults.

METHODS: Three-hundred and ninety Black young adults ages 18-24 (M = 20.6, 62 % female, 85 % monoracial) completed an online survey that included measures on past-year experiences of racial discrimination, ethnic identity affirmation and exploration, and problem alcohol and cannabis use. Utilizing multiple linear regression and the PROCESS macro, the study examined the promotive (direct) association between ethnic identity and problem substance use, and the protective (moderating) effect of ethnic identity on the relationship between racial discrimination and problem substance use.

RESULTS: After accounting for the demographic covariates of age, gender (male, female, and other), and race (monoracial and bi/multiracial), higher ethnic identity affirmation was significantly associated with lower problem alcohol, and higher ethnic identity exploration was significantly associated with lower problem alcohol and cannabis use. The study also observed a moderating effect of ethnic identity affirmation and exploration on the relationship between racial discrimination and problem alcohol use. Specifically, the association between racial discrimination and problem alcohol use weakened at higher levels of ethnic identity affirmation and exploration. Neither ethnic identity affirmation nor exploration significantly moderated the relationship between racial discrimination and problem cannabis use.

CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that ethnic identity is associated with problem alcohol use and may also reduce the strength of the association between racial discrimination and problem alcohol use, although these findings need to be confirmed with longitudinal study designs. If supported, interventions focused on strengthening one's ethnic identity affirmation and exploration may offer a potential target for interventions addressing alcohol misuse among Black young adults. However, more research should seek to understand promotive and protective factors for problem cannabis use among Black young adults.