Racial discrimination, binge drinking, and negative drinking consequences among black college students: serial mediation by depressive symptoms and coping motives. Issue 8 (17th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Desalu, Jessica M.; Kim, Jueun; Zaso, Michelle J.; Corriders, Sydnee R.; Loury, Jacoby A.; Minter, Monique L.; Park, Aesoon
• Is Part Of: Ethnicity & health. Volume 24:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 874
• Page End: 888
• Publication Date: 2019-11-17
• Subjects: Alcohol -- black -- college students -- racial discrimination -- depression -- coping motives; Ethnic groups -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Ethnic Groups -- periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- periodicals; Social Sciences -- periodicals; 362.1089
• DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2017.1380170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-7858

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Experiences of racial discrimination have been associated with diverse negative health outcomes among racial minorities. However, extant findings of the association between racial discrimination and alcohol behaviors among Black college students are mixed. The current study examined mediating roles of depressive symptoms and coping drinking motives in the association of perceived racial discrimination with binge drinking and negative drinking consequences. Design: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study of Black college students attending a predominantly White institution in the northeastern US ( N = 251, 66% female, mean age = 20 years). Results: Results from path analysis showed that, when potential mediators were not considered, perceived racial discrimination was positively associated with negative drinking consequences but not frequency of binge drinking. Serial multiple mediation analysis showed that depressive symptoms and in turn coping drinking motives partially mediated the associations of perceived racial discrimination with both binge drinking frequency and negative drinking consequences (after controlling for sex, age, and negative life events). Conclusions: Perceived racial discrimination is directly associated with experiences of alcohol-related problems, but not binge drinking behaviors among Black college students. Affective responses to perceived racial discrimination experiences and drinking to cope may serve as risk mechanisms for alcohol-related problems in this population. Implications for prevention and intervention efforts are discussed.