Similarities and differences in alcohol trajectories: Testing the catch-up effect among biracial black subgroups. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goings, Trenette Clark; Hidalgo, Sebastian J. Teran; McGovern, Tricia
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 60(2016)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Mixed-race -- Multiracial -- Adolescent -- Adult -- Binge drinking -- Heavy episodic drinking; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Using National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) data, we examine the alcohol-use trajectories of monoracial Black youth and biracial Black-White, Black-Hispanic, and Black-American Indian youth to assess how their trajectories differ from the alcohol-use trajectories of White youth over time. The sample consists of 9421 adolescents and young adults who self-identified as White, Black, Black-American Indian, Black-Hispanic, or Black-White. Study hypotheses are tested using latent growth curve modeling. Results indicate that a catch-up effect exists, but only for Black-American Indians whose alcohol-use rates approach the higher rates of Whites at age 29. Black-American Indians face particularly high risk of problematic drinking over the life course. Additional research is needed to understand causal factors of alcohol-use among biracial individuals particularly Black-American Indians who may be at higher risk for alcohol misuse. Highlights: An alcohol-use catch-up effect was observed among black-American Indian young adults. Black-American Indians face high risk of problematic drinking over the life course. We did not find a catch-up effect for Blacks, Black-Whites, and Black-Hispanics.