While much research focuses on high-risk drinking at institutions, less is known about drinking among African American students who attend Historically Black Colleges/ Universities (HBCUs). The current study looks at the relationship between ethnic identity and alcohol consumption in African-American HBCU students as mediated by depression.
Participants for this study included 171 students from three different HBCU campuses. The first measure included the daily drinking questionnaire. This asked students about alcohol use quantity and frequency during the previous 30 days. The next measure assessed frequency of illicit substance use in the previous 30 days. The patient health questionnaire was used to screen for depression. This questionnaire assessed frequency of symptoms participants had experiences during the previous two weeks. The final measure was the multigroup ethnic identity measure- revised. This measured ethnic identification by using two factors, Exploration and Commitment.
Results showed 71% of the total participants were placed into the minimal to mild depression range. 46.5% denied any alcohol use and 66.5% denied any illicit substance use during the previous month. Students reported an average of two substance use episodes during the previous month. 49 students from the study were considered binge drinkers and 42 were non-binge drinkers. Results showed that overall neither ethnic identity nor depression was able to predict any outcome variable. Findings also show that HBCU students have lower rates of alcohol consumption and binge drinking when comparted to nationally-stratified samples of students. They also found that those attending HBCUs have higher ethnic identity and resiliency. These findings suggest the need for culturally-informed alcohol use prevention and intervention strategies among college campuses.
Take Away: The current study looks at the relationship between ethnic identity and alcohol consumption in African-American Historically Black Colleges/University (HBCU) students as mediated by depression. Participants for this study included 171 students and measures included alcohol and illicit substance use quantity and frequency during the previous 30 days, depression and ethnic identification. Ethnic identity nor depression was able to predict any outcome variable. HBCU students have lower rates of alcohol consumption and binge drinking when comparted to nationally-stratified samples of students. They also found that those attending HBCUs have higher ethnic identity and resiliency. These findings suggest the need for culturally-informed alcohol use prevention and intervention strategies among college campuses.