ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Alcohol misuse remains a major concern in college student populations and rates of risky and problematic drinking are specifically on the rise for women. One important factor that has been shown to be positively associated with substance use/misuse for women from historically marginalized or minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds is exposure to racial discrimination and possible resulting traumatic stress reactions. Questions remain about the relationship between race-based traumatic stress and risky drinking particularly among diverse female college students who are at greater risk due to their marginalized status in their racial/ethnic and gender groups. DESIGN: The current study examined race-based traumatic stress as a unique predictor of risky drinking when controlling for negative affectivity and general trauma symptoms, additional risk factors for risky drinking in women. RESULTS: Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that race-based traumatic stress made a significant and unique contribution to the amount of variance in risky drinking, above negative affectivity, and general trauma symptoms. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of considering experiences of racism as risk factors in substance use prevention and intervention, specifically for female college students from marginalized or minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds.
Subject(s)
Ethnicity , Substance-Related Disorders , Humans , Female , Ethnic and Racial Minorities , Minority Groups , Students , UniversitiesABSTRACT
Exposure to potentially traumatic race-based experiences poses a risk factor for risky drinking among college students from historically marginalized racial/ethnic backgrounds. Objective: The current study examined the relationship between both the level (severity) and pattern of race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) reactions and risky drinking. Participants: The current study sample was made up of 62 male (23.5%) and 202 female (76.5%) Latino/a/x, Black, and Asian college students attending a minority-serving institution. Methods: Study participants were asked to participate in an anonymous online survey. Results: A criterion profile analysis revealed that higher scores on RBTS reactions overall, and elevated scores on RBTS - avoidance, low self-esteem, and anger, specifically, were indicative of more risky drinking. Conclusions: These findings highlight a distinct pattern of RBTS scores that may predict a vulnerability to risky drinking and underscore the importance of racial trauma healing in alcohol use prevention and intervention efforts.