Interpersonal ethnic–racial discrimination and tobacco products: The moderating role of critical action.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to understand the role of critical action, sociopolitical participation, an essential form of consciousness in the relationship between interpersonal discrimination and the use of tobacco products. Method: The present study was part of a more extensive longitudinal study on students' genetic and environmental experiences. To examine these associations, 164 racially minoritized college students (M age = 19.86, SD = 0.28) were surveyed for this study. Results: Findings indicated that the relation between interpersonal ethnic-racial discrimination (IERD) and tobacco products was moderated by critical action. Specifically, IERD was associated with greater use of tobacco products when students had low critical consciousness-critical action. The relation between IERD and the use of tobacco products became nonsignificant when students had high critical action. Conclusions: Critical action was protective in mitigating increased tobacco use in the context of discrimination experiences. Research, clinical, and policy implications are discussed in efforts to reduce tobacco-related disparities among racially minoritized college students. Public Significance StatementCritical action is protective in mitigating increased tobacco use in the context of discrimination experiences. Critical action suggests that social capital can promote health and well-being.