Gendered racial microaggressions and Asian American women's hazardous alcohol use: The role of drinking to cope.

Abstract

Research indicates the importance of investigating psychosocial factors that contribute to Asian American women's hazardous alcohol use. Thus, the present study examines how gendered racial microaggressions and racial collective self-esteem are associated with hazardous alcohol use among Asian American women, as well as the potential indirect effect of drinking to cope. A final sample of 300 Asian American women filled out a cross-sectional survey consisting of our study variables. Regression analyses indicated that gendered racial microaggressions was positively associated with hazardous alcohol use, whereas racial collective self-esteem was not associated. Drinking to cope indirectly explained the association between gendered racial microaggressions and alcohol use. Our result suggests that clinicians might consider helping their Asian American female clients practice alternative coping strategies aside from drinking to cope to alleviate their hazardous alcohol use. Practitioners are also encouraged to be aware of their clients' multiple identities and experiences of gendered racial microaggressions while providing treatment. To expand upon our findings, researchers are encouraged to investigate how these associations may manifest within specific ethnic subgroups, as well as by utilizing longitudinal research designs to study Asian American women's hazardous alcohol use.