Examining the Effects of Discrimination and Microaggressions on Alcohol Use Behaviors among Latino/a/x College Students at a Predominantly White Institution
Open Access
- Author:
- Waldron, Katja
- Graduate Program:
- Biobehavioral Health
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 10, 2024
- Committee Members:
- Emily Ansell, Major Field Member
Robert Turrisi, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Damon Jones, Outside Unit & Field Member
Thomas Gould, Program Head/Chair
Michael Russell, Major Field Member - Keywords:
- Discrimination
Microaggressions
Alcohol Use
Latino/a/x
College Students
Predominantly White Institution - Abstract:
- Background: Considerable research has examined how stress is associated with college drinking, but limited theory-driven published reports examine whether these effects generalize to Latino/a/x students. Although Latino/a/x students typically make up a small percentage of students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs; e.g., 6-8%), cumulatively they represent more than half of Latino/a/x students in higher education. Global assessments show that Latino/a/x students attending PWIs experience greater discriminatory stress, which increases their risk of engaging in problematic alcohol use. Less is known about how discrimination and microaggressions that Latino/a/x students experience in college impact daily alcohol use behaviors, relative to other stressors. Examining both between- and within-person associations of alcohol use behaviors, discrimination, and microaggressions in college have the potential to provide the information needed to significantly inform tailored intervention efforts for Latino/a/x students. Objective: This dissertation examined the frequency and intensity of discrimination and microaggressions among Latino/a/x college students attending a PWI and its associations with alcohol use behaviors. The study employs a rigorous longitudinal design with an online baseline survey of past experiences and behaviors, as well as a 28 daily surveys of current experiences and behaviors. To extend the literature, this study examined two aims to address whether discrimination and microaggressions have independent effects on alcohol use behaviors, relative to other stressors. Aim 1 examined cross-sectional associations of past experiences with discrimination, microaggressions, stress, and trauma and how they are associated with global indicators of alcohol use behaviors. Aim 2 utilized precise daily measurements to examine current experiences with discrimination, microaggressions, and stress and how they predicted alcohol use behaviors within- and between-persons. Interactions between frequency and intensity of daily discrimination and microaggressions on drinking behaviors were explored. Methods: The study enrolled 121 Latino/a/x college student drinkers (77% female) attending a large PWI located in the northeastern United States. Students were asked to complete a 30–45-minute online baseline survey, 10-15 minute in-person training session, and 3–5-minute daily surveys for 28 days. The baseline survey measured lifetime discrimination and trauma, and past-year microaggressions, stress, typical weekly drinking, and alcohol-related consequences. The daily surveys measured discrimination, microaggressions, stress, number of drinks, desire to drink, motives to drink, and drinking consequences. Participants were asked to report their experiences and behaviors from the previous day. Analytic Plan: Aim 1 was analyzed using moderated regression with bootstrapping to obtain asymmetrical 95% confidence intervals. Aim 2 used multilevel models to analyze the daily data which are characterized by repeated observations that capture both between- and within-person differences. Results: Aim 1 did not detect many significant associations between discrimination, microaggressions, and drinking behaviors. The only significant finding was between microaggressions and drinking consequences, but not when models controlled for stress, trauma history, and birth sex. Aim 2 found that discrimination and microaggressions predicted a variety of drinking behaviors at both the within- and between-person levels. Compared to their own average, individuals reported increased alcohol use, motives to drink, and drinking consequences on days they experienced more discrimination or microaggressions. Compared to the sample average, individuals who experienced more discrimination or microaggressions reported an increased desire to drink, motives to drink, and drinking consequences (across days assessed). Interactions between microaggression frequency and intensity were detected for drinking motives and consequences, such that the relationships between microaggression frequency and motives/consequences were exacerbated as intensity increased. Discussion: Contrary to what was expected, the cross-sectional design in study Aim 1 found that discrimination and microaggressions were not associated with drinking behaviors, especially after controlling for stress, trauma history, and birth sex. Aim 2 found various daily associations between discrimination, microaggressions, and drinking behaviors, using an intensive longitudinal design. Findings suggest discrimination and microaggressions operate independent from other stressors, especially at the daily level. The divergent findings between the cross-sectional and daily study designs underscores the need for future research to implement intensive longitudinal studies using daily diary or ecological momentary assessments. With this information there is potential to inform culturally sensitive drinking interventions and change policies at PWIs to benefit Latino/a/x college students.