Depressive symptom domains and alcohol use severity among Hispanic emerging adults: Examining moderating effects of gender

Abstract

Objective A limited amount of research has examined the effects of unique depressive symptom domains on alcohol use behavior among Hispanics of any developmental stage. This study aimed to (a) examine the respective associations between depressive symptom domains (e.g., negative affect, anhedonia, interpersonal problems, and somatic complaints) and alcohol use severity among Hispanic emerging adults, and (b) examine if gender moderates each respective association. Method 181 Hispanic emerging adults (ages 18–25) completed an anonymous cross-sectional online survey. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and the Center Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to estimate respective associations of negative affect, anhedonia, interpersonal problems, and somatic complaints in relation to alcohol use severity. Moderation tests were also conducted to examine if gender functioned as an effect modifier between respective depressive symptom domains and alcohol use severity. Results Findings indicated higher levels of anhedonia were associated with higher alcohol use severity (β = .20, p = .02). Moderation analyses indicated that somatic complaints (β = −.41, p = .02) and interpersonal problems were associated with greater alcohol use severity among men (β = −.60, p < .001), but not women. Conclusions Findings underscore the need to examine the relationship between specific depressive symptom domains and alcohol use; and the importance of accounting for potential gender differences in these associations.

Acculturation profiles and alcohol use among Hispanic Americans

“…Individuals who scored low on both acculturation and enculturation reported lower levels of alcohol consumption compared to individuals of other acculturation profiles. This is in contrast to prior research: individuals who are categorized as "marginalized" from both U.S. mainstream and ethnic heritage cultures have been shown to be at the highest risk for internalizing and externalizing symptoms, including alcohol misuse (e.g., Berry, 1997;Cano et al, 2017). Two sets of theories may explain the current finding.…”

“…Second, our sample size was not large enough to conduct ethnic-specific analyses in order to systematically examine within-group heterogeneity. Our sample consisted of largely individuals of Mexican backgrounds, thus findings are consistent with those in previous research with Mexican Americans (e.g., Cano, 2016;Cano et al, 2017). Still, different alcohol preferences, drinking norms, and strategies that guard against adverse drinking-related consequences across Hispanic subgroups may explain ethnic variability in the associations between alcohol use and acculturation/enculturation.…”

Alcohol use severity, depressive symptoms, and optimism among Hispanics: Examining the immigrant paradox in a serial mediation model

“…Third, we found support for the hypothesis that depressive symptoms would be positively associated with greater alcohol use severity. Recent studies, including longitudinal research, have consistently documented depressive symptoms as a strong correlate of alcohol misuse (e.g., Collins et al, 2018; Jetelina et al, 2016; Schleider et al, 2019), especially among young adults (Cano et al, 2017; González et al, 2011). Both Hispanic immigrants and U.S.‐born Hispanics experience significant cultural stress associated with navigating multicultural streams, discrimination, anti‐immigrant policies, and language barriers—and alcohol is often used as a means of coping with the negative thoughts and feelings associated with such cultural stress (Schwartz et al, 2015).…”

“…Once the four indirect effects are computed, they are each tested for significance. If more than one indirect effect is significant, linear contrasts are then provided to determine which indirect effect has the strongest influence on the outcome (alcohol use severity) 1 Because age, gender, site of residence, socioeconomic status, and student status correlate with both alcohol use and depression (Cano et al, 2017; Ramisetty‐Mikler, Caetano, & Rodriguez, 2010; Schwartz et al, 2014), we included them as covariates if they were related to our mediators and/or outcome.…”

“…Whereas optimism negatively correlates with depressive symptoms, there is considerable evidence that depressive symptoms relate to higher alcohol consumption (e.g., Cano et al, 2017; González, Reynolds, & Skewes, 2011; Jetelina, Reingle Gonzalez, Vaeth, Mills, & Caetano, 2016)—suggesting that optimism may protect against alcohol use indirectly through preventing or reducing depressive symptoms. Considering that the relationship between alcohol use and depression is likely bidirectional (Boden & Fergusson, 2011), alcohol can be used as a means of coping with the negative thoughts and feelings associated with depressive symptoms.…”