Discrimination, drugs, and alcohol among Latina/os in Brooklyn, New York: Differences by gender

Abstract

BACKGROUND Based on a stress-coping framework, the present study investigates the relationship between discrimination and substance use, and the moderating effects of gender. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzes data from Latina/o young adults aged 18 to 25 (n=401) from Brooklyn, New York. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test the association between discrimination and substance use. RESULTS Discrimination was significantly associated with increased odds of substance use adjusting for covariates (e.g. age, education). Gender was a moderator. Discrimination was associated with increased risk of alcohol/marijuana and hard drug use among young Latina women. However, discrimination was associated with decreased risk of alcohol/marijuana use and increased risk of hard drug use among young Latino men. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that discrimination is generally associated with risk for substance use, but further that the outcomes vary by gender. Future research should explore gender-specific dimensions of discrimination and their associations with other outcomes.

Discrimination and Substance Use Disorders Among Latinos: The Role of Gender, Nativity, and Ethnicity

“…Our findings supported previous research that found associations between discrimination and substance use, 8–13 as well as discrimination and substance use disorders specifically among Latinos. 6,7 In addition, our study extended the existing literature by revealing that the relationship between discrimination and substance use disorders varied by ascribed characteristics among Latinos.…”

“…Similarly, promotores (community health workers) with shared lived experiences of substance use and discrimination might also strengthen prevention and treatment programs. At the institutional level, drug policies and immigration policies might be interpreted as discriminatory, reinforcing ideologies that foster discrimination 13,57–59 ; therefore, such policies should be re-evaluated. By contrast, policies that encourage the reintegration of individuals who have been incarcerated could work against these ideologies.…”

“…Discrimination has been associated with alcohol and drug use 8–13 and substance use disorders among Latinos. 6,7 Stress-coping frameworks and the minority stress model have been applied to hypothesize that individuals belonging to various marginalized groups respond to experiences of discrimination with unhealthy coping behaviors, such as substance use.…”

“…20 Research also shows that Latino men generally reported higher levels of discrimination compared with Latina women. 13,21 Data from the National Latino and Asian American Study showed that 39% of Latino men, compared with 29% of Latina women, reported discrimination. 22 These authors suggested that these patterns might be the result of minority men being more exposed and vulnerable to racial bias from social institutions.…”

Sexual Health in a Social and Cultural Context: a Qualitative Study of Young Latina Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women

“…For example, in a study of Latino men who have sex with men, discrimination was associated with increased risk of HIV infection due to increased sexual risk taking [36]. Discrimination has also been associated with increased substance use among Latinas and Latino men who have sex with men [37–39], which can increase risk for STIs. Future research should explore whether discrimination is associated sexual health behaviors and utilization of health care among Latina sexual minority women.…”