ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2157-4989
Keywords
Alcohol Use Discrimination Hispanic/Latinx Alcohol Craving Emotional Disurbance
Abstract
Hispanic/Latinx drinkers are more likely to experience adverse alcohol-related consequences and have less access to treatment services. Research indicates that discrimination has a unique effect on drinking behaviors. The Minority Stress Model depicts how discrimination places individuals at a heightened risk for adverse health outcomes. Emotion regulation and alcohol craving are also known to impact alcohol use. This study investigated the impact of perceived discrimination on emotional disturbance, alcohol craving, and alcohol use using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). The following were proposed: H1: Emotional disturbance will predict alcohol craving in the moment (Level 1). H2: The association between perceived discrimination and alcohol craving will be mediated by emotional disturbance (Level 1). H3: Emotional disturbance will predict alcohol use via alcohol craving at the day level (Level 2). H4: The association between perceived discrimination and alcohol use will be mediated by emotional disturbance and alcohol craving (Level 2). Hispanic/Latinx individuals (n = 77) were recruited through social media and completed six brief assessments per day for 14 days on their mobile phone. Data were analyzed using multilevel structural equation modeling. At the moment level, perceived discrimination was associated with emotional disturbance. Both perceived discrimination and emotional disturbance predicted alcohol craving. At the day level, perceived discrimination was positively associated with emotional disturbance, and emotional disturbance predicted alcohol craving and alcohol use. Indirect effects showed perceived discrimination to be related to alcohol craving and alcohol use. These results provide a nuanced understanding of the role both perceived discrimination and emotional disturbance play in alcohol pathology among Hispanic/Latinx drinkers.
Completion Date
2024
Semester
Fall
Committee Chair
Dvorak, Robert
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree Program
Clinical Psychology
Format
Identifier
DP0028983
Language
English
Release Date
12-15-2024
Access Status
Dissertation
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
De Leon, Ardhys N., "The Effect of Perceived Discrimination on Alcohol Use Behaviors: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Among Hispanic/Latinx Drinkers" (2024). Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024. 21.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2024/21
Accessibility Status
PDF accessibility verified using Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker