Ethnic Discrimination is Related to Increased Substance Use and Intentions to Use Across Diverse Groups of Adolescents

IntroductionIn recent years, adolescents of color report greater use of selected substances than white adolescents, including alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. Increased levels of discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic may have added to the chronic burden associated with increased substance use among adolescents of color. This study assessed the prevalence of substance use (alcohol, tobacco and cannabis) and intentions to use among adolescents by race/ethnicity and assessed associations between discrimination and substance use outcomes across groups. MethodsThe data come from the national panel of 11,868 adolescents in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (baseline through 4th follow-up). We tested the prevalence rates of substance use and intentions by race/ethnicity. Multivariable longitudinal analyses tested whether 1) discrimination was connected to substance use and intentions, and 2) whether that relationship differed by race/ethnicity. ResultsWhite adolescents reported the greatest use and curiosity about alcohol. Black adolescents reported the highest rates of being willing to try any of the substances. Hispanic adolescents reported the highest rates of cannabis use. Multiracial adolescents reported the highest rates of tobacco use, curiosity about tobacco, and curiosity about cannabis. Discrimination was found to be associated with greater substance use among all racial/ethnic groups, except Black adolescents for alcohol use and Asian adolescents for alcohol use and tobacco use. ConclusionThis study supports national trends about substance use disparities among adolescents of color. Findings from this study also show that discrimination may explain some of these increased trends through intentions to use substances.