Comparing of the mediation and the moderation role of coping motive in the relationship between perceived discrimination and hazardous drinking

Abstract

Objectives: To examine if drinking motives of coping and enhancement play (1) a mediation and/or (2) a moderation role in the relationship between perceived discrimination and hazardous drinking, among male Southeast Asian migrants in Hong Kong.Design: Two-hundred and two male Indian and Pakistani migrants aged 18–66 living in Hong Kong completed a questionnaire regarding their alcohol use, drinking motive, and perceived discrimination.Result: Among the 202 migrants, 22.3% of them were hazardous drinkers. Perceived discrimination (OR = 1.12), enhancement motive (OR = 54.42) and coping motive (OR = 28.87) were significantly positively associated with the hazardous drinking. Perceived discrimination was significantly positively associated with coping motive (β = 0.19) and enhancement motive (β = 0.17). Two multivariate logistic regression equations, where (1) coping motive and perceived discrimination and (2) enhancement motive and perceived discrimination as independent variables to predict hazardous drinking, were set up. In the first analysis, coping motive remained significantly associated with hazardous drinking (OR = 25.77). In the second analysis, both enhancement motive (OR = 52.83) and perceived discrimination (OR = 1.11) remained significantly associated with hazardous drinking.Conclusion: Racial discrimination is associated with hazardous drinking. This relationship was fully mediated by coping motive and partially through enhancement motive. This mechanism is consistent with the coping hypothesis of alcohol use.