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Published on: March 17, 2019
Impulsivity moderates the association between racial discrimination and alcohol problems.
Robert D Latzman1, Wing Yi Chan, Yuri Shishido
1Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, United States.
Addictive Behaviors
|September 21, 2013
Summary
Racial discrimination and impulsivity are linked to alcohol problems in minority university students. Low premeditation exacerbates this association, highlighting personality
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Alcohol use among university students is a significant public health issue.
- Minority students may use alcohol to cope with racial discrimination.
- Individual differences in coping mechanisms for racial discrimination are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the combined and interactive effects of racial discrimination and impulsivity on alcohol consumption.
- To investigate how different facets of impulsivity influence the relationship between racial discrimination and alcohol use.
- To identify personality traits that may moderate the impact of racial discrimination on alcohol problems.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 336 Black/African-American and Asian/Asian-American university students.
- Assessed experiences of racial discrimination.
- Measured multidimensional personality trait of impulsivity, including lack of premeditation.
- Quantified alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems.
Main Results:
- Both racial discrimination and impulsivity were significantly associated with increased alcohol problems.
- The relationship between racial discrimination and alcohol problems was moderated by lack of premeditation.
- Students with low premeditation showed the strongest link between racial discrimination and alcohol problems.
Conclusions:
- Individual personality traits, specifically impulsivity, play a role in how racial discrimination affects alcohol use.
- Lack of premeditation may increase vulnerability to alcohol problems when experiencing racial discrimination.
- Future research should consider personality factors and ecological levels when examining alcohol risk factors.
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