UC Davis

Objective

To examine ethnic identity and ethnic socialization as potential protective factors for risk behaviors among US college students.

Participants

Participants were 398 African American and Afro-Caribbean students recruited from 30 colleges and universities during September 2008-October 2009.

Methods

Data on hazardous alcohol use, substance use, sexual behaviors, ethnic identity, and ethnic/racial socialization were collected. Hierarchical linear and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to determine the degree to which ethnic identity and ethnic/racial socialization predicted the risk behaviors.

Results

Ethnic Identity affirmation, belonging, and commitment (EI-ABC) significantly predicted lower substance use and hazardous alcohol use. Ethnic/racial socialization was not a significant predictor of substance use or sexual risk behaviors.

Conclusions

Components of ethnic identity are potentially protective against alcohol and substance use behaviors. Additional research is recommended to determine effective intervention strategies.