Dimensions of ethnic identity as protective factors for substance use and sexual risk behaviors in African American college students |
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| Authors: | Angela M Bowman Heads Angel M Glover Linda G Castillo Shelley Blozis Su Yeong Kim |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA;2. Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&3. M University, College Station, Texas, USA;4. Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA;5. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, School of Human Ecology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA |
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| Abstract: | Objective: To examine ethnic identity and ethnic socialization as potential protective factors for risk behaviors among US college students. Participants: Participants were 398 African American and Afro-Caribbean students recruited from 30 colleges and universities during September 2008–October 2009. Methods: Data on hazardous alcohol use, substance use, sexual behaviors, ethnic identity, and ethnic/racial socialization were collected. Hierarchical linear and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to determine the degree to which ethnic identity and ethnic/racial socialization predicted the risk behaviors. Results: Ethnic Identity affirmation, belonging, and commitment (EI-ABC) significantly predicted lower substance use and hazardous alcohol use. Ethnic/racial socialization was not a significant predictor of substance use or sexual risk behaviors. Conclusions: Components of ethnic identity are potentially protective against alcohol and substance use behaviors. Additional research is recommended to determine effective intervention strategies. |
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| Keywords: | African American drug use ethnic identity sexual risk taking |
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