The Relationship Between Ethnic Identity and Alcohol Use Severity

Ethnic Identity (EI) refers to an individual’s beliefs and attitudes towards their ethnic-racial group, and researchers have been interested in its association with health behaviors such as alcohol use. The current literature presents mixed findings regarding whether a strong EI understanding (commitment) or seeking out EI information (exploration) is a protective or risk factor for severe alcohol use. These inconsistencies may be explained by limited sample sizes and composition (e.g., primarily adolescents). As such, we sought to replicate and clarify past findings on the relationship between the EI and alcohol use severity using a diverse national sample of college students (n=10,223). Ethnicity-specific analyses showed a negative relationship between exploration and severe alcohol use (β=-0.21, p=.02) only among self-identified multiracial students. All the regression models reached significance aside from Indigenous, AMENA, and Black Haitian/Caribbean Islander college students. Overall, a strong EI understanding or belonging (commitment) may be protective against severe alcohol use. Exploring one’s EI (exploration) may also protect against severe alcohol use, particularly for multiracial college students. Our findings emphasize the impact of ethnic identity on alcohol use behaviors and its significance for positive development and health in young adults.