(PS7-B50) Exploring the Promotive Pathway Between Ethnic-racial Identity, Depression and Anxiety Symptoms, and Substance Use Among African American Emerging Adults

Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) has been shown to have a promotive effect on substance use (Bowman Heads et al., 2018; Walker et al., 2020); however, the factors impacting this relationship have been explored less (Buckner et al., 2022). Based on the self-medication (Khantzian, 1997; 2003) and social identity theories (Tajfel & Turner, 1986), the current study aimed to examine whether a promotive pathway was present between ERI affirmation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and problem alcohol and cannabis use among a sample of African American emerging adults. We collected demographic, ethnic-racial identity affirmation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and problem alcohol and cannabis use data from a sample of African American or Black emerging adults (N= 388) aged 18 to 24 (M=20.6), attending a Midwestern university or residing in the neighboring community. The PROCESS macro for simple mediation (Hayes, 2013) was conducted, with age, gender, race, and recruitment source included as covariates, to examine the role of depression and anxiety symptoms in the relationship between ethnic-racial identity affirmation and problem alcohol and cannabis use. Within the model for problem alcohol use, a significant negative association was found between ERI affirmation and depression and anxiety symptoms (b = -2.863, p = .021). Moreover, depression and anxiety symptoms were also positively associated with problem alcohol use, controlling for the effect of ERI affirmation (b = .281, p < .001). Lastly, a significant indirect effect was found between ERI affirmation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and problem alcohol use (estimated indirect effect = -.805, Boot CI [95] = -1.578, -0.071). Within the model for problem cannabis use, a significant negative association was found between ERI affirmation and depression and anxiety symptoms (b = -2.863, p = .021). Moreover, depression and anxiety symptoms were also positively associated with problem cannabis use, controlling for the effect of ERI affirmation (b = .439, p < .001). Lastly, a significant indirect effect was found between ERI affirmation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and problem cannabis use (estimated indirect effect = -.199, Boot CI [95] = -0.440, -0.012). Thus, these findings suggest that promoting positive ERI affirmation among African American emerging adults may reduce various substance use outcomes through the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms. Therefore, it may be beneficial for individual and group interventions that strengthen ethnic-racial identity to be formulated for and implemented to African American emerging adults to promote psychological and behavioral well-being.