Abstract
Background: Researchers have reported gender differences in the association between perceived racial discrimination (PRD) and substance use including marijuana use (MU). A limited number of longitudinal studies, however, have documented the long-term effect of PRD during adolescence on subsequent MU in young adulthood.Objective: In the current longitudinal study, we tested gender differences in the association between baseline PRD during adolescence and subsequent MU during young adulthood within Black population.Methods: A cohort of 595 Black (278 male and 317 female) ninth grade students were followed for 13 years from 1999 (mean age 20) to 2012 (mean age 33). Participants were selected from an economically disadvantaged urban area in the Midwest, United States. The independent variable was PRD measured in 1999. The outcome was average MU between 2000 and 2012 (based on eight measurements). Covariates included age, socio-demographics (family structure, and parental employment), and substance use by friends and parents. Gender was the focal moderator. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis.Results: In the pooled sample, PRD in 1999 was not associated with average MU between 2000 and 2012. We did, however, find an interaction effect between baseline PRD and gender on average MU, suggesting stronger association for males than females. In gender-specific models, baseline PRD predicted average MU between 2000 and 2012 for males, but not for females.Conclusion: Exposure to PRD during late adolescence may have a larger role on MU of male than female Black young adults. Although we found that males are more vulnerable to the effects of PRD on MU, PRD should be prevented regardless of race, gender, and other social identities. While PRD is pervasive among Black Americans, exposure to PRD increase the risk of MU for Black males. Hence, substance use prevention efforts for Black males, in particular, should emphasize coping with PRD.
Highlights
Perceived racial discrimination (PRD), defined as perceiving unfair and unfavorable treatment due to race, is a chronic stressor that negatively impacts physical [1,2,3,4,5,6] and mental [7,8,9,10,11,12] health
We found a positive correlation between baseline PRD and average marijuana use (MU) over time in males but not females
Socioeconomic status [23, 57, 58], racial identity [59], race socialization and self-esteem [60] alter sensitivity to PRD, which is more commonly reported by high SES Blacks, males who are in proximity of Whites [61,62,63]
Summary
Perceived racial discrimination (PRD), defined as perceiving unfair and unfavorable treatment due to race, is a chronic stressor that negatively impacts physical [1,2,3,4,5,6] and mental [7,8,9,10,11,12] health. Researchers have consistently documented the deleterious effect of PRD on state and trait negative affect [23], perceived distress [24], psychiatric disorders [21, 25], depression [26], anxiety [27], suicide [28], pain [29], school performance [30], and substance use [31,32,33]. In line with gender differences in coping in response to stress [42], Black males and females may differ in their likelihood to use substances to cope racism-related stress [43]. Among Caribbean Black adolescents, for example, PRD predicted substance use for males, but not females [44]. Researchers have reported gender differences in the association between perceived racial discrimination (PRD) and substance use including marijuana use (MU). A limited number of longitudinal studies, have documented the long-term effect of PRD during adolescence on subsequent MU in young adulthood
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
