Trenette Clark Goings1, Sebastian Teran Hidalgo2, Patricia McGovern3, Susan Ennett2. 1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 325 Pittsboro St., CB #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America. Electronic address: ttclark@email.unc.edu. 2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America. 3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 325 Pittsboro St., CB #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study tests the intermediate biracial substance use hypothesis, which suggests that the prevalence of substance use among biracial individuals fall intermediate to their corresponding mononoracial counterparts. Using National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) data, we examine alcohol-use trajectories of a de-aggregated sample of biracial Black youth and compare them with the trajectories of the corresponding monoracial counterparts. METHOD: The sample consists of 9421 adolescents and young adults who self-identified as 1 of 4 monoracial groups (i.e., Black, White, Hispanic, American Indian) or 1 of 3 biracial Black groups (i.e., Black-American Indian, Black-Hispanic, and Black-White). Study hypotheses are tested using latent growth curve modeling for first use, number of drinks, and binge drinking. RESULTS: We found partial support for the intermediate substance use hypothesis, with the alcohol use rates of biracial Blacks more closely resembling the non-Black corresponding group than the monoracial Black group. Black-American Indians face particularly high risk of problematic drinking. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the need for additional research clarifying the onset and maintenance of alcohol use and misuse among biracial individuals and subgroups.
OBJECTIVE: This study tests the intermediate biracial substance use hypothesis, which suggests that the prevalence of substance use among biracial individuals fall intermediate to their corresponding mononoracial counterparts. Using National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) data, we examine alcohol-use trajectories of a de-aggregated sample of biracial Black youth and compare them with the trajectories of the corresponding monoracial counterparts. METHOD: The sample consists of 9421 adolescents and young adults who self-identified as 1 of 4 monoracial groups (i.e., Black, White, Hispanic, American Indian) or 1 of 3 biracial Black groups (i.e., Black-American Indian, Black-Hispanic, and Black-White). Study hypotheses are tested using latent growth curve modeling for first use, number of drinks, and binge drinking. RESULTS: We found partial support for the intermediate substance use hypothesis, with the alcohol use rates of biracial Blacks more closely resembling the non-Black corresponding group than the monoracial Black group. Black-American Indians face particularly high risk of problematic drinking. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the need for additional research clarifying the onset and maintenance of alcohol use and misuse among biracial individuals and subgroups.
Authors: Elizabeth J D'Amico; Anthony Rodriguez; Joan S Tucker; Michael S Dunbar; Eric R Pedersen; Rachana Seelam Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2022-03-22 Impact factor: 4.852