Alcohol trajectories among biracial black subgroups: Testing the intermediate substance use hypothesis

Parenting, Peers, and Alcohol Use Initiation Among Black, White, and Black-White Adolescents: Evidence Using Discrete-Time Survival Analysis

Alcohol use among Biracial adolescents remains understudied. This study examined how parenting and peer factors relate to age of alcohol use onset among Black, White, and Biracial Black-White adolescents and emerging adults. We used Add Health data to produce a final analytic sample of 13,528 adolescents who self-identified as White, Black, or Biracial Black-White. Discrete-time survival analysis implemented within logistic regression indicated Black adolescents showed the lowest probability of alcohol use onset by age 18, followed by Biracial adolescents, and White adolescents. The probability of alcohol use onset increased for Monoracial Black and White adolescents at ages 16, 18, and 21. Descriptively our model suggest that Biracial adolescents exhibit a sharp decline in their probability of alcohol use onset at age 16 and a sharp increase at age 21. However, this trend did not differ significantly from the other racial groups. Consistent with social control and learning theories, low parental acceptance, high parental control, and peer substance use were associated with alcohol use onset. Alcohol use onset trajectories differed for Monoracial and Biracial adolescents with Biracial individuals reporting greater alcohol onset in adulthood. Prevention efforts should continue to target parental acceptance, parental control, and peer substance use.

Disparities in functioning from alcohol and cannabis use among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults

BACKGROUND

Trajectory studies have consistently shown that alcohol and cannabis (AC) use during emerging adulthood (EA) affect functioning; however, few studies examine whether racial/ethnic disparities may occur at similar levels of use.

METHODS

We conducted web-based surveys across five waves from mean age 18.3 through 22.6. The sample (N = 2945) is 55% female, 46% Hispanic, 23% Asian, 23% White, 6% multi-racial (MR)/other, and 2% Black.

MEASUREMENTS

Past month substance use was defined as number of days used. Outcomes at age 22.6 included negative consequences, delinquency, physical ailments and health, depression and anxiety, peer relationship functioning, life satisfaction, employment, and education.

RESULTS

Compared to White EAs, Hispanic, Asian, and MR/other EAs reported less initial alcohol use; Hispanic and Asian EAs reported less initial cannabis use, whereas Black EAs reported more cannabis use. Greater initial frequency and increased frequency of AC use were associated with poorer outcomes (e.g., worse mental health). In terms of disparities, compared to White EAs, Hispanic EAs reported poorer physical health at the same levels of AC use; Hispanic, Asian, and MR/other EAs reported greater alcohol consequences and delinquency; Black, Hispanic, Asian and MR/other EAs reported lower life satisfaction; and Hispanic and MR/other EAs were less likely to pursue education beyond high school (although Asian EAs were more likely).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings emphasize that trajectories of AC use during EA are associated with a range of functional outcomes. Disparities in functioning at similar levels of AC use highlight the importance of reaching racially/ethnically diverse EAs with prevention and intervention programming.