Self-determination, perceived approval, and drinking: Differences between Asian Americans and Whites

Abstract

The present research assessed racial differences in the associations among controlled orientation, injunctive norms, and increased drinking by White and Asian American college students. Previous research has noted racial differences in drinking, but reasons have not been considered in the context of individual differences in self-determination or responses to social influences. The authors evaluated perceived parental and peer injunctive norms as mediators of the relationship between controlled orientation and number of drinks consumed per week. The association between controlled orientation and drinking was further expected to be moderated by race. This study consisted of 534 White and 198 Asian American participants who had at least one heavy drinking episode in the month prior to assessment. Participants completed self-report measures assessing self-determination, perceived parental/peer injunctive norms, and drinking. Results indicated that peer injunctive norms served as a mediator between controlled orientation and greater number of drinks consumed per week for Whites only. Although Asian Americans were significantly higher in controlled orientation than Whites, they drank less and perceived their peers to be less approving of drinking. In contrast, Whites who were high in controlled orientation viewed their friends as being significantly more approving of alcohol and consumed significantly more drinks per week. Results provide unique considerations for understanding cultural differences in drinking among White and Asian American young adults.

Alcohol-related blackouts across 55 weeks of college: Effects of European-American ethnicity, female sex, and low level of response to alcohol

“…First, women develop higher BACs per drink (Baraona et al, 2011; Eng et al, 2005; Rose and Grant, 2010), which may translate into higher risks for ARBs. The differences across ethnicities may be especially strong in women vs. men as Asian and Hispanic women may also have stronger culture-based prohibitions against heavier drinking than seen in EA cultures (Chartier and Caetano, 2009; Nguyen and Neighbors, 2013). Also, while more research is needed, considering recent documentation of potentially genetically-related physiologic characteristics that may relate to the BAC required for ARBs (Silveri et al, 2014; Wetherill and Fromme, 2011; Wetherill et al, 2013, 2012; White, 2004), higher rates of ARBs in EA women might reflect some sex-related biological mechanisms that contribute directly to the ARB risk.…”

Longitudinal Change in Alcohol Use and Motivations for Drinking Among Asian American College Students

“…. ..but they "may be motivated to drink for other reasons, such as to alleviate academic stress" (Nguyen and Neighbors, 2013). Yet our findings suggest that the idea that Asian American college students drink alcohol primarily as a coping mechanism, rather than other reasons, may be inaccurate.…”

“…Indeed, coping is sometimes brought up as a reason for drinking even when it is not investigated in the study. For instance, the authors of one study proposed that “Asian Americans are not driven to drink in an effort to bond with friends”….but they “may be motivated to drink for other reasons, such as to alleviate academic stress” (Nguyen and Neighbors, 2013). Yet our findings suggest that the idea that Asian American college students drink alcohol primarily as a coping mechanism, rather than other reasons, may be inaccurate.…”

Dental health among older Israeli adults: is this a reflection of a medical care model inadequately addressing oral health?

“…To some extent, our results may therefore be influenced by response bias in general and on cultural differences in particular. Much has been written about cultural differences in health/disease perception. Moreover, applied measures for chewing ability and denture wearing may be considered only proxy variables for oral health.…”