Racial Discrimination and Substance Use: Mediating and Buffering Mechanisms

Introduction: Although Black adolescents are less likely to use substances than White adolescents, substance use rates “cross over” among young adults, and substance use problems become more prevalent, proportionally, among Black young adults (French, Finkbiner, & Duhamel, 2002; Watt, 2005). Experiences of racial discrimination has been supported as an important factor contributing to health-risk behaviors and physical health inequities, including substance use behaviors (e.g., Gibbons et al., 2010; Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009). Researchers have begun to examine several mediating and moderating factors to help explain, and potentially reduce, the relation between discrimination and use.

Methods: Data from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS) were analyzed to examine the longitudinal impact of racial discrimination on substance use behaviors among African American adolescents (aged 10-18). Experimental studies, which employed a modified version of Cyberball to examine the causal impact of racial discrimination on use cognitions, were conducted with African American young adults (ages 18-25). Racial identity, racial and self-affirmation, racial socialization, and trait self-control were explored as potential buffers. Negative affect and state self-control were potential mediators.

Results: Racial discrimination predicted substance use cognitions and behaviors (all ps < .05). Self-reported anger and self-control mediated these relations. Racial identity (affirmation and belonging), both racial and self-affirmation tasks, racial socialization (but not mistrust), and trait self-control buffered the relation between discrimination and use. 

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the importance of examining protective (racial identity and socialization, self-affirmation, high good self-control) as well as mediators (anger, reduced self-control) of the relation between discrimination and substance use both experimentally and prospectively. These findings have important implications for future interventions to reduce the harmful effects of discrimination.