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Self-determination, perceived approval, and drinking: differences between Asian Americans and Whites
Mai-Ly Nguyen1, Clayton Neighbors
1University of Houston, United States. mailynguyen@gmail.com
Addictive Behaviors
|December 21, 2012
Summary
Racial differences in college drinking exist, with peer norms mediating alcohol consumption for White students but not Asian American students. Asian Americans, despite higher controlled orientation, drank less and perceived lower peer approval of alcohol.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research indicates racial disparities in college student drinking behaviors.
- Understanding the underlying mechanisms, such as self-determination and social influences, is crucial.
- Limited research has explored these factors in relation to race, specifically among White and Asian American populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine racial differences in the relationship between controlled orientation, injunctive norms, and alcohol consumption among White and Asian American college students.
- To investigate the mediating role of perceived parental and peer injunctive norms.
- To explore the potential moderating effect of race on the association between controlled orientation and drinking.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 534 White and 198 Asian American college students with recent heavy drinking episodes.
- Self-report measures assessed self-determination (controlled orientation), perceived parental/peer injunctive norms, and weekly alcohol consumption.
- Statistical analyses examined mediation and moderation effects, considering race as a key variable.
Main Results:
- Peer injunctive norms significantly mediated the link between controlled orientation and higher weekly drinks for White students only.
- Asian American students exhibited higher controlled orientation than White students but reported lower alcohol consumption.
- Asian Americans perceived lower peer approval of drinking, while White students with high controlled orientation perceived higher peer approval and drank more.
Conclusions:
- Cultural factors and perceived social norms play a significant role in shaping drinking behaviors differently across racial groups.
- Interventions targeting peer injunctive norms may be effective for reducing alcohol consumption among White college students.
- Further research is needed to understand the unique cultural contexts influencing alcohol use among diverse young adult populations.
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