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Racial trauma and substance use in college students: Experiential avoidance and ethnic identity
Jiyoung Shin-Hwang1, Julie M Koch1, Si Hyeong Kim2
1Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Racial trauma increases substance use in college students by promoting experiential avoidance. Strong ethnic identity can buffer this effect, reducing alcohol use as a coping mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Racial trauma is a significant stressor for minoritized college students.
- Substance use is a common coping mechanism for stress, including racial trauma.
- Psychological factors like experiential avoidance and ethnic identity may influence this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the link between racial trauma and substance use (alcohol and drug use) in minoritized college students.
- To examine the mediating role of experiential avoidance in this association.
- To investigate the moderating role of ethnic identity.
Main Methods:
- Study participants: Racially and ethnically minoritized college students.
- Statistical analysis: Examined mediation by experiential avoidance and moderation by ethnic identity.
- Outcome measures: Racial trauma, experiential avoidance, alcohol use, and drug use.
Main Results:
- Higher racial trauma correlated with increased experiential avoidance and substance use.
- Experiential avoidance mediated the link between racial trauma and alcohol use.
- Ethnic identity moderated the pathway: stronger identity reduced avoidance and subsequent alcohol use.
Conclusions:
- Culturally responsive interventions should address experiential avoidance.
- Promoting ethnic identity development can be a protective factor against substance use.
- These strategies can inform substance use prevention and intervention programs on college campuses.
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