RESUMO
PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to examine the association between perceived racial discrimination and substance use and the potential moderating effect of perceived parental affection between the two variables. METHODS: A total of 101 Korean American adolescents participated in this cross-sectional study utilized an online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to describe for means and frequencies and the patterns of substance use. Logistic regression analysis was also used to examine the association between perceived discrimination and substance use. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the participants reported perceiving racial discrimination, and 21% had used at least one kind of substance in the month prior to taking the survey. The most frequently used substance was alcohol, followed by marijuana and tobacco products. Logistic regression analysis revealed a link between perceived racial discrimination and substance use (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.00). However, parental affection did not moderate between racial discrimination and substance use. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that perceived racial discrimination is positively associated with substance use among Korean American adolescents, and health care providers, counselors, and school nurses should screen for discrimination-related stress and substance use in this population.