Exploring the Promotive Pathway Between Ethnic-Racial Identity, Depression and Anxiety Symptoms, and Substance Use Among African American Emerging Adults

Public Significance Statement Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) has been known to be promotive against substance use behaviors, but little is known about factors that can impact this relationship, notably depressive and anxiety symptoms. Study results showed that in African American emerging adults, higher ERI was associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower problem alcohol and cannabis use. These findings suggest a need for interventions that strengthen ERI in African American emerging adults to take advantage of the promotive effects ERI has on well-being. Objective: Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) has been shown to have a promotive effect on substance use; however, the factors impacting this relationship have been explored less. The present study examined whether a promotive pathway exists between ERI, depression and anxiety symptoms, and problem substance use (i.e., alcohol and cannabis use) among a sample of African American emerging adults. Method: Participants were 388 African American or Black emerging adults aged 18-24 (M = 20.6), mostly female (62%) attending a Midwestern university or residing in the neighboring community. Data on demographics, ERI based on a total score and affirmation and exploration subscales, depression and anxiety symptoms, and problem alcohol and cannabis use were collected. The PROCESS macro for simple mediation was conducted to examine the role of depression and anxiety symptoms in the relationship between ERI and problem alcohol and cannabis use. Results: A significant indirect effect was found for the pathway between ERI, depression and anxiety symptoms, and each substance use outcome. Conclusions: Among African American emerging adults, ERI may reduce the risk for problem alcohol and cannabis use through reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms. Therefore, implementation of substance use interventions that strengthen ERI may be particularly beneficial to reduce risk, as well as promote psychological well-being among African American emerging adults.