Exploring the Relationship Between Racial Microaggressions and Substance Use in Asian Americans

While racial microaggressions (behaviors and statements made toward a person with or without the intention of expressing prejudice) are associated with increased substance use among several racial groups, the relationship between racial microaggressions and substance use in Asian American adults is less defined. It is also unknown if ethnic identity strength (the quality of an individual's affiliation with their ethnic group) moderates any associations between racial microaggressions and substance use in Asian American adults.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of English-speaking Asian American adults aged 18 years and older living in the United States (N = 523). Validated scales assessed distinct subsets of racial microaggressions and ethnic identity strength. We assessed former (ever use, but not in the past 30 days) and past 30-day tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol substance use. Adjusted logistic regression models examined associations between racial microaggression subscales and substance use outcomes, as well as potential moderation by ethnic identity strength.

Participants' mean age was 42.9 years. The most reported ethnicities were Indian (15.7%), Filipino (14.5%), Japanese (13.6%), and Chinese (13.0%). Greater exposure to racial microaggressions was associated with higher odds of past 30-day tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol use, while associations with former substance use were less consistent. Ethnic identity strength did not significantly moderate these associations.

Racial microaggressions are associated with multiple forms of substance use among Asian American adults. Clinical and public health interventions that address racial microaggressions may help improve substance-use-related health outcomes in this population.