Multiple Discrimination and Substance Use Intention in Late Childhood: Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive...

Area of Science:

• Developmental psychology
• Public health
• Sociology

Background:

• Discrimination based on multiple identities can impact adolescent well-being.
• Understanding the relationship between multiple discrimination and substance use intention is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine longitudinal, bidirectional associations between multiple discrimination and substance use intention in late childhood.
• To compare these associations across youth with no, single, and multiple marginalized identities.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N=8,530; ages 9-12).
• Youth self-reported multiple discrimination experiences and substance use intention at one- and two-year follow-ups.
• Inclusion of theoretically relevant covariates.

Main Results:

• Youth with intersecting marginalized identities reported higher substance use intention and multiple discrimination compared to non-marginalized and single-identity youth.
• Multiple discrimination predicted increased substance use intention over time in this group.
• Substance use intention also predicted decreased multiple discrimination over time for youth with intersecting marginalized identities.

Conclusions:

• Multiple discrimination is a significant predictor of increased substance use intention in late childhood, especially for youth with intersecting marginalized identities.
• Interventions addressing multiple discrimination are essential to reduce substance use disparities among diverse youth.