Disrupting the Behavioral Health Consequences of Racial Discrimination: A Longitudinal Investigation of Racial Identity Profiles and Alcohol-Related Problems

Researchers have documented the negative associations between racial discrimination and alcohol use for young Black people, yet fewer researchers have examined these associations longitudinally and with racial identity as a protective factor. We use data from the Flint Adolescent Study (465 Black/African Americans) to investigate the relationship between discrimination and alcohol-related problems over time, and how that relationship differs with varying trajectories of racial identity (i.e., private and public regard). Among those reporting persistently moderate levels of private regard and high levels of public regard in late adolescence through emerging adulthood, increases in racial discrimination were associated with increases in alcohol-related problems over time. Findings suggest that regard for one’s racial group may function protectively in the health strategies employed in response to discriminatory events. More longitudinal research is needed to delineate how varying racial pride operates with regard to long-term discrimination and behavioral health.