Acculturative stress as a moderator of the effect of drinking motives on alcohol use and problems among young adults

- We examined acculturative stress (AS) and alcohol outcomes among college students.
- Drinking motives (DM) were associated with elevated alcohol use and problems.
- Alcohol problems were greater for Asian and Hispanic students reporting higher AS.
- Coping and conformity DM predicted alcohol use for Black students reporting low AS.
- Greater AS weakened the relationship between coping and conformity DM and drinking in Black students.

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated a strong relationship between drinking motives and alcohol use among young adult populations. Further, there is substantial evidence of the association between psychosocial stressors and greater alcohol consumption. In the present study, we examined whether acculturative stress would moderate the relationship between major drinking motives and alcohol use behaviors and alcohol-related problems, and whether this relationship differs by racial/ethnic group.MethodSix hundred diverse undergraduate students (mean age = 21.50, SD = 2.46; 82.8% female; 40.2% White/Caucasian) completed a series of measures, including demographic information, alcohol use/alcohol problems, and acculturative stress.ResultsFindings showed varying patterns in the moderating effect of acculturative stress on the relationship between drinking motives and alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, particularly for self-identified Hispanic, Black, and Asian students. Stronger drinking motives were associated with greater alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, and this relationship was stronger among Asian and Hispanic students who reported higher levels of acculturative stress. For Black students, greater acculturative stress was observed to weaken the relationship between coping, enhancement, and conformity motives and alcohol drinking frequency.ConclusionsResults are discussed in terms of incorporating acculturative stress in the development of tailored alcohol use interventions for vulnerable young adults, such as certain ethnic minority and immigrant groups. Clinical implications include screening for acculturative stress in primary care and counseling centers and early intervention programs to identify young adults who may be at-risk for or currently experiencing alcohol problems.