Associations between gendered racism, racial identity, and nicotine use among Asian American men.

OBJECTIVES: The present study utilized an intersectional framework to examine if two forms of gendered racism, psychological emasculation and messages about Asian American men being undesirable partners, were associated with Asian American men's nicotine use. We also examined the potential mediating roles of two racial identity statuses, racial conformity and racial immersion. METHODS: A sample of 356 Asian American men living in the United States of America (USA) completed a cross-sectional survey via Qualtrics containing measures assessing the aforementioned constructs of interest. The primary analysis examined separate parallel mediation models, situating psychological emasculation and undesirable partner as separate independent variables, racial conformity and racial immersion as parallel mediators, nicotine use as the outcome, and age and employment as covariates. RESULTS: In separate parallel mediation models, the links between psychological emasculation and undesirable partner on one hand, and nicotine use on the other, were completely mediated only by racial conformity, and not significantly mediated by racial immersion. Specifically, greater endorsement of gendered racism was associated with greater conformity with (and internalization of) these gendered racist beliefs, which in turn were associated with greater nicotine use. CONCLUSION: Researchers and practitioners may consider racial conformity as an interventional target to ameliorate Asian American men's nicotine use. Future studies should continue to examine other culturally relevant and/or potentially protective constructs (e.g., on the basis of gender, race, and its intersection) that may mitigate Asian American men's nicotine use.

Mind The Gap: Differences in Alcohol Use Screening And Discussions Among Adults Comparing Asian American And Other Racial And Ethnic Subgroups in the United States, 2015-2019.

AIMS: Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial and ethnic subgroup in the USA but are underrepresented in the alcohol literature, partially due to misconceptions and racial stereotypes. We estimated any alcohol screening/discussions with providers among Asian Americans and other racial and ethnic subgroups and tested associations with alcohol treatment. METHODS: Weighted prevalences of any alcohol screening or discussions with providers included US adults reporting past-year alcohol use and > =1 healthcare visit in the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 123,002). Multinomial logistic regressions estimated adjusted associations between alcohol use screening/discussions (ref: no screening/discussion) comparing Asian Americans to other racial and ethnic adult subgroups. Among adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD), we estimated adjusted odds of alcohol treatment and perceived treatment need by screening/discussions and racial and ethnic subgroup. RESULTS: Among Asian American adults who reported past-year alcohol use and a healthcare visit, 24.7% reported any screening only and 51.4% discussed alcohol with providers. All racial and ethnic subgroups were more likely than Asian Americans to report alcohol screening/discussions (e.g. white adults, screening adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.28-1.72; discussions aRRR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.74-2.10). AUD treatment use and perceived need were about two times higher among people reporting alcohol discussions. CONCLUSIONS: Asian Americans were less likely to report discussing alcohol with providers than all other racial and ethnic subgroups. Alcohol discussions were associated with treatment use and perceived need. Efforts to increase equitable alcohol screening and discussions with clinicians are needed.

Psychosocial aspects of coping that predict post-traumatic stress disorder for African American survivors of homicide victims.

African Americans disproportionately experience homicide, and the psychological consequence of experiencing this traumatic event interferes with daily function, often in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the Model of Coping for African American Survivors of Homicide Victims (MCAASHV), African Americans coping with the traumatic impact of homicide are influenced by: the violent nature of the death itself, racial- and cultural-bound experiences (e.g., cultural trauma, the culture of homicide including stigma, blame, shame, and lack of justice) and psychological processes including racial appraisal and coping strategies (e.g., spiritual, collective, meaning making). This study examined the direct and indirect effects racial- and cultural-bound experiences have on PTSD through coping strategies among 304 African American survivors of homicide victims across the United States using Qualtrics Panel collected in March-May 2018. The path analysis model demonstrated strong model fit, and the variables in the model accounted for 34% variance in PTSD. Coping (ß = -0.38, p < .001) and culture of homicide (ß = -0.27, p < .001) were negatively related to PTSD. Cultural trauma (ß = 0.11, p < .014), culture of homicide (ß = 0.43, p < .001), reactions to homicide (ß = 0.11, p < .006) and racial appraisal (ß = 0.32, p < .001) were positively associated with coping (R2 = 52%), and all were indirectly associated with PTSD through coping. Findings provide strong support for the MCAASHV and highlight the direct and indirect effects of racial and cultural experiences of coping that explain PTSD among African Americans chronically exposed to homicide.

Body positivity for Asian Americans: Development and evaluation of the pride in Asian American Appearance Scale.

While a growing body of literature has examined factors that contribute to Asian Americans' negative body image, little research has investigated Asian Americans' body image from a strengths-based perspective. This study thus presents the Pride in Asian American Appearance Scale (PAAAS), which was designed to measure the extent to which Asian Americans feel positively about their own racialized physical appearances as well as those of fellow Asian Americans. Items were developed through an extensive literature review, cognitive interviews, and expert feedback. Exploratory (N = 398) and confirmatory (N = 398) factor analyses suggested a bifactor model, consisting of 24 items comprising a general factor and four group factors: (a) Pride in Asian Features, (b) Preference for Asian American Appearance, (c) Asian Americans as Desirable, and (d) Action Promoting Asians' Attractiveness. Internal consistency estimates as well as factor determinacies were high and demonstrated that the specified items adequately represented their intended factors. The PAAAS was significantly correlated in theoretically expected directions with collective self-esteem, internalized racist appearance bias, and psychological distress. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A longitudinal investigation of racial discrimination, distress intolerance, and psychological well-being in African American college students.

There is robust evidence that racism negatively influences health outcomes for African American college students. However, few studies have longitudinally examined the underlying mechanisms related to the repercussions of racism. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal association between racial discrimination and psychological well-being (PWB), as well as the mediating role of distress intolerance. METHOD: As part of a larger parent study, a sample of 105 African American first-year undergraduate students (mean age = 18.1) completed three surveys across 1 year. The RMediation program was used to test the indirect effect of racism on PWB through distress intolerance. RESULTS: There was a significant positive indirect effect of racism on PWB through distress intolerance, such that increased racism was associated with increased distress intolerance, which was thus associated with decreased PWB. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention efforts may be aimed at preventing racism for African American college students and providing clinical services that reduce distress intolerance.

Electronic Cigarette Use and Associated Risk Factors in U.S.-Dwelling Pacific Islander Young Adults.

Background: E-cigarette use is rapidly increasing among US young adults, heightening their risk for vaping-related illnesses. Yet, little is known about e-cigarette use among young adult Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI): an indigenous-colonized US racial group rarely described in research literature. This exploratory study provides the first known data on e-cigarette use and potential risk factors in NHPI young adults. Method: Self-report data were collected from 143 NHPI young adults (age 18-30 years) living in two large NHPI communities: Samoans in urban Los Angeles County and Marshallese in rural Arkansas. We assessed rates of e-cigarette, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, and positive and negative outcome expectancies from e-cigarettes, that is expected outcomes from e-cigarette use. To identify potential risk factors for NHPI e-cigarette use, regressions explored associations between participants' current e-cigarette use with current cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, and e-cigarette outcome expectancies. Results: Among NHPI young adults, lifetime e-cigarette use rate was 53% and current use rate was 39%. Current rate of dual e-cigarette/cigarette, e-cigarette/alcohol, and e-cigarette/marijuana use was 38%, 35%, and 25%, respectively. In our regression models, current marijuana use and positive e-cigarette outcome expectancies were significantly associated with current e-cigarette use. Conclusions: E-cigarette use is common among NHPI young adults, exceeding rates for other at-risk racial groups. Marijuana use and positive expectations about e-cigarette use may represent potential e-cigarette use risk factors. Collectively, findings underscore the need for additional research to further explore the scope of, and risk and protective factors for, e-cigarette use in this understudied high-risk population.

Pathways linking intergenerational cultural dissonance and alcohol use among Asian American youth: The role of family conflict, parental involvement, and peer behavior.

A difference in degree of acculturation between immigrant parents and children, known as intergenerational cultural dissonance (ICD), is a risk factor for adolescent alcohol use. We used path analysis with 292 Vietnamese and Cambodian adolescents from immigrant families in the United States to measure potential mediators (family conflict, parental involvement/monitoring, association with deviant peers) of the ICD-alcohol use relationship. The hypothesized model was an adequate data fit among both groups. Among Cambodian adolescents, higher ICD levels significantly predicted increased family conflict, which in turn was associated with reduced parental involvement/monitoring, increased association with deviant peers, and a subsequently higher risk of alcohol use (p < .05 for all coefficients). We also found significant indirect effects of ICD on alcohol use among Vietnamese adolescents through family conflict and parental involvement/monitoring (p < .05 for all coefficients) but not through peer behavior. For both groups, there was no direct effect of ICD on alcohol use outside these pathways. Identification of significant mediators provides potential targets for preventing alcohol use among these populations. In addition, differences in path coefficients between Vietnamese and Cambodian adolescents underscore the importance of conducting analyses stratified by Asian ethnic group.

Heavy Episodic Drinking Trajectories Among Underage Young Adult Women: The Role of Feminine Norms.

BACKGROUND: Heavy episodic drinking (HED; 4 or more drinks in a 2-hour period) in U.S. college women has increased by 40% in the past 30 years. This dramatic shift suggests that women are "closing the gender gap" and are drinking at rates similar to men. Multidimensional feminine norms, or beliefs and expectations about what it means to be a woman, are theoretically promising and gender-relevant factors that may help account for within-group differences in problematic drinking patterns among this increasingly at-risk group. The aim of this study was to identify distinct developmental trajectories of HED among underage young adult women and examine the gender-relevant factors that predict these typologies. METHODS: Growth mixture modeling was used to identify latent trajectory classes of HED over the course of a year (3 time points) in 700 underage (Wave 1, Mage  = 18, SD = 0.32) young adult women from a Mid-Atlantic university in the United States. Logistic regression analyses evaluated feminine norm endorsement, sorority status, perceived peer norms, expectancies, alcohol-related consequences, and marijuana use as predictors of the latent trajectory classes. RESULTS: About 64.4% of underage women reported engaging in HED. Three HED latent trajectory classes were identified as follows: (i) High Risk, (31%) reported weekly HED over the course of the year; (ii) Monthly HED (33.4%) reported engaging in HED roughly once a month; and (iii) Abstainers (35.6%) reported no HED over the course of the year. The High-Risk class reported significantly more alcohol-related problems and marijuana use than the other trajectory classes. The multidimensional feminine norms of sexual fidelity and appearance were significantly associated with the latent trajectory classes even when controlling for well-established correlates of drinking. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk drinking typologies were identified in underage women, and these trajectories were related to feminine norms. Prevention and intervention programs targeting gender-relevant factors may help reduce problematic drinking and marijuana use among underage women engaging in problematic patterns of drinking.

Gendered Racism Scales for Asian American Men: Scale development and psychometric properties.

The Gendered Racism Scales for Asian American Men (GRSAM) was developed to assess the frequency and stress level of gendered racism perceived by Asian American men. The development of the new measure was grounded in the Intersectional Fusion Paradigm. This paradigm explains individuals' experiences of discrimination based on unique combinations of multiple interlocking identities that individuals experience simultaneously. In mixed samples of college students and community adults, GRSAM's factor structure as well as evidence of convergent validity, criterion-related validity, discriminant validity, incremental validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was examined. Exploratory factor analyses revealed three dimensions of GRSAM: Psychological Emasculation, Perceived Undesirable Partner, and Perceived Lack of Leadership. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a bifactor model was a better fit to the data than a correlated three-factor model and a higher-order model. Results of correlation and regression analyses further provided evidence for different aspects of construct validity and internal consistency. Both the Frequency and Stress versions of GRSAM positively predicted psychological distress and somatic symptoms above and beyond the effects of general racism experienced by Asian Americans and masculine gender role stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

The Development of a Culturally Adapted Pilot Intervention for African American Family Members of Homicide Victims: A Preliminary Report.

African Americans are disproportionately impacted by homicide in the United States. Individuals who have lost a relative to homicide often experience symptoms of complicated grief. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of a culturally tailored psychoeducational pilot intervention whose development was informed by a conceptual model of coping for African American survivors of homicide victims and was designed to (a) educate participants about the manifestation of complicated grief and symptoms and (b) help participants develop ways to cope with their grief. Pre- and post-test results indicate preliminary support for this encouraging intervention in achieving its intended outcomes to help participants identify complicated grief symptoms, supports, and services to help them manage their grief. Implications for posthomicide research and practice are discussed.

Model minority stereotype and the diagnosis of alcohol use disorders: Implications for practitioners working with Asian Americans.

This study investigated the priming effects of the model minority stereotype on 122 clinicians in training regarding their diagnostic accuracy on Asian Americans compared to Whites. It was hypothesized that clinicians in training would be less likely to diagnose Asian Americans with alcohol use disorder and would perceive them to have fewer clinical symptoms than Whites due to the model minority stereotype. Consistent with the hypotheses, clinicians in training were less likely to assign alcohol use disorder to Asian Americans compared to Whites, as well as to the unprimed condition versus the condition primed with the stereotype. Implications regarding cultural competence and future research are discussed.

Asian American and White College Students' Heavy Episodic Drinking Behaviors and Alcohol-Related Problems.

BACKGROUND: Heavy episodic drinking (HED) and alcohol-related problems appears to be a growing problem among young adult Asian Americans. One promising factor that helps explain within-group differences among Asian American includes nativity. Nativity refers to whether an individual was born in (i.e., second generation or higher) or outside (i.e., first generation) of the United States. Despite this theoretically promising variable, there has been a paucity of literature examining comparing drinking patterns between first and second generation Asians Americans and White college men. OBJECTIVES: The current study examined the relationship between HED and alcohol-related problems among first- and second-generation Asian American, and White college male students. Interaction between race and the variables in HED and alcohol-related problems models were also investigated. METHOD: A total of 630 men were recruited of which 489 were Asian American men (407 second generation and 82 first generation) and 148 White students attending a public university in southern California (USA) were recruited. RESULTS: Results revealed no differences in HED rates between second-generation Asian American and White male college students; however, White students reported higher rates of HED compared to first-generation Asian Americans. No differences in alcohol-related problems were found between all three groups. There were no significant interactions between racial groups, drinking to cope, Greek/fraternity status, and descriptive norms on the alcohol outcomes. Conclusion/importance: Second-generation Asian American young adult men reported similar HED and rates of alcohol-related problems as White men. The present findings suggest that alcohol-related problems among Asian American men are a larger public health concern than previously believed.

Gender and social rejection as risk factors for engaging in risky sexual behavior among crack/cocaine users.

Crack/cocaine and engagement in risky sexual behavior represent important contributors to the escalation of the HIV infection among women. Several lines of research have emphasized the role of social factors in women's vulnerability for such practices and stressed the importance of understanding such factors to better inform prevention efforts and improve their effectiveness and efficiency. However, few studies have attempted to pinpoint specific social/contextual factors particularly relevant to high-risk populations such as female crack/cocaine users. Extensive previous research has related the experience of social rejection to a variety of negative outcomes including, but not limited to, various forms of psychopathology, self-defeating, and self-harm behavior. Motivated by this research, the current study explored the role of laboratory-induced social rejection in moderating the relationship between gender and risky sexual behavior among a sample of crack/cocaine users (n = 211) at high risk for HIV. The results showed that among women, but not among men, experiencing social rejection was significantly associated with a greater number of sexual partners. Further, experiencing social rejection was not related to the frequency of condom use. Implications for future research, prevention, and treatment are discussed.

Testing for Measurement Invariance in the Conformity to Masculine Norms-46 Across White and Asian American College Men: Development and Validity of the CMNI-29.

The Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI; Mahalik et al., 2003) and revised CMNI-46 (Parent & Moradi, 2009) have received a great deal of empirical attention and support for their strong psychometric properties and evidence of construct validity. However, one important area that remains unexplored is how adherence to these masculine norms may vary across race and ethnicity. The current investigation examines the possible racial measurement noninvariance in the CMNI-46 among Asian American and White American college students (N = 893). The results revealed significant measurement differences across groups; specifically, the CMNI-46 was more theoretically consistent for the White American men than the Asian American men. Through exploratory and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, an 8-factor, 29-item version of the CMNI emerged, displaying an excellent overall model fit for both racial groups. This study provides strong evidence for the use of a streamlined 29-item version of the CMNI, validated with Asian American and White American men. The findings also lend further empirical and psychometric evidence regarding the variance of masculine norms among ethnic groups as well as the variance of the multidimensional construct of masculinity.

College Men and Alcohol Use: Positive Alcohol Expectancies as a Mediator Between Distinct Masculine Norms and Alcohol Use.

College men are more likely to engage in health-compromising behaviors including risky drinking behavior, and experience more alcohol-related problems, including violence and arrest, as compared to women. The study of masculine norms or societal expectations, defined as beliefs and values about what it means to be a man, is one promising area of investigation that may help explain within-group differences and differential rates of alcohol use among men. Using the gender social learning model, we investigated the role of positive alcohol expectancies as an underlying mediator between masculine norms and alcohol use among college men. Data from 804 college adult men (Mean age = 20.43) were collected through a web-based assessment. Participants completed a self-report measure of binge drinking, frequency of drinking, quantity of drinks, conformity to masculine norms, and positive alcohol expectancies measures. Structural equation modeling was used to examine relations between masculine norms, alcohol expectancies and alcohol use. The masculine norms of "Playboy" and Risk-Taking were positively related to heavy alcohol use, while Emotional Control and Heterosexual Presentation were both negatively associated with alcohol use, after controlling for fraternity Greek status and positive expectancies. Playboy and Winning norms were positively associated with positive expectancies while Power Over Women was inversely related to positive expectancies which, in turn, were associated with heavier alcohol use. This study was a novel exploration into the multiple pathways and mediators through which positive alcohol expectancies may help explain and provide specificity to the masculinity and alcohol use relationship among college men.

Validation of the Revised BSI-18 With Latino Migrant Day Laborers.

Objective: This study examines the factor structure of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18; Derogatis, 2001) in a hard-to-reach population of mainly undocumented migrant Latino day laborers. While, the BSI-18 has been found to be a valid and reliable measure of psychological distress, cross-cultural assessments in sub-groups of Latinos are scarce withthis being the first study to examine the factor structure of the Spanish version of the BSI-18 with this population. Methods: A series of principal axis exploratory factor analytic procedures examining one to three-factor models were performed with a street recruited sample of 150 Latino migrant day laborers. Results: A one-factor model emerged and four items were dropped due to low factor loadings. The internal consistency coefficients for the 14-item BSI was α = .87. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the revised BSI-18 appears to measure a single dimension of general somatic-psychological distress in this sample of Latinos.

Development and Empirical Test of the Research-Informed South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA).

Intimate partners play an important role in chronic diseases. Despite the chronic disease burden increase in sub-Saharan Africa, very few culturally-relevant quantitative measures of intimate relationship functioning are available. We conducted an empirical investigation evaluating the psychometric properties of the South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA) assessing healthy relationship functioning in N = 150 community members (50% women; M age = 27.2 years) living in the Vulindlela area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Item development was based on prior qualitative research from two South African communities. All assessments were conducted in isiZulu, participants' primary language. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the initial 39-item measure. The best-fitting model consisted of one factor with 22 items. The SARFA's internal consistency was α = .94. Convergent validity was observed via significant positive associations (all rs ≥ .38, p < .001) between the SARFA's total score and measures of trust, emotional intimacy, constructive communication, sexual satisfaction, and relationship control (women only). Divergent validity was observed for women only. Encouraging initial psychometric properties of a culturally-relevant measure of relationship functioning in KwaZulu-Natal may have relevance to other communities and potential to be used in research involving couples and health in chronic disease-burdened communities.

Alcohol makes you macho and helps you make friends: the role of masculine norms and peer pressure in adolescent boys' and girls' alcohol use.

Peer pressure and general conformity to adult norms have been found to be strongly associated with alcohol use among adolescents; however there is limited knowledge about the sociocultural factors that might influence this relationship. Theory and research suggest that masculine norms might directly and indirectly contribute to alcohol use through peer pressure and general conformity to adult norms. Whereas being male is typically identified as a risk factor for alcohol use, masculine norms provide greater specificity than sex alone in explaining why some boys drink more than others. There is growing evidence that girls who endorse masculine norms may be at heightened risk of engaging in risky behaviors including alcohol use. Data were provided by adolescents living in a rural area in the Northeastern United States and were collected in 2006. This study demonstrated that masculine norms were associated with peer pressure and general conformity and alcohol use for both adolescent girls (n = 124) and boys (n = 138), though the relationship between masculine norms and alcohol use was stronger for boys. The study's limitations are noted and theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

The Racial and Ethnic Identity Formation Process of Second-Generation Asian Indian Americans: A Phenomenological Study.

This phenomenological study elucidates the identity development processes of 12 second-generation adult Asian Indian Americans. The results identify salient sociocultural factors and multidimensional processes of racial and ethnic identity development. Discrimination, parental, and community factors seemed to play a salient role in influencing participants' racial and ethnic identity development. The emergent Asian Indian American racial and ethnic identity model provides a contextualized overview of key developmental periods and turning points within the process of identity development.

Development and validation of the Inventory of Stress and Coping for African American Survivors of Homicide Victims.

OBJECTIVE: African Americans disproportionately experience homicide. However, validated measures designed to assess the traumatic impact of coping with murder for surviving family members and friends of homicide victims are absent from research. This article describes four studies that contributed to the development and preliminary validation of the Inventory of Stress and Coping for African American Survivors of Homicide Victims (ISCASHV). The ISCASHV is a measure that assesses multicomponents (e.g., stress, appraisals, stigma, coping) of the sociocultural and psychological processes in which African Americans cope with homicide. METHOD AND RESULTS: Studies 2-4 provide strong support for the multicomponent 42-item scale consisting of five factors: cultural trauma, reactions to homicide, culture of homicide, racial appraisal, and coping. The ISCASHV demonstrates strong construct validity evidence and good internal consistency estimates. Each of the five measures demonstrated a high test-retest estimate for a 2-week period, suggesting the temporal stability of the factors. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the ISCASHV is a promising multicomponent measure that assesses the racial- and sociocultural-bound manifestation of homicide-related grief for African American survivors of homicide victims. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).