A severe lack of national-level data exists on the substance use patterns and mental health needs of the diverse Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) groups. Available data generally are excluded from analyses or aggregated into one "Asian" category, thereby masking differences among AAPI groups. The 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES), a national probability sample of over 42,000 respondents aged 18 years or older, included five AAPI groups: Japanese (n=314), Korean (n=123), Filipino (n=185), Chinese (n=230), and Vietnamese (n=89), as well as comparison Caucasians (n=34,722). Preliminary analyses of the NLAES show that substance use rates were the highest among the Japanese for alcohol (40.5% current drinker) and classes of illicit drugs (e.g., 27.1% past year smoker, 1.0% heroin use 12+ times or more), with rates comparable to those among Caucasians (45.6%, 29.5% and 0.4% respectively). The patterns of use among the Vietnamese were the lowest across all classes of psychoactive substances (18% current drinker, 13.5% past year smoker, 0% drug use 12+ times or more for stimulant, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin). Rates of depressive symptoms were highest among the Japanese, only slightly lower than among Caucasians. The ranking of substance use levels among the five AAPI groups correlates with several indices of acculturation, including the timing of immigration to the United States. These findings contradict the usual image portrayed of the disciplined, health-conscious Japanese. Unproven also is the image of the Vietnamese refugee abusing psychoactive substances for self-medication to treat trauma-related problems.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the limitations prevalent in available substance abuse and mental health data for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). 2. Describe the comparative rates of substance use and mental disorders for five AAPI sub-groups as found in the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES). 3. Relate differences in AAPI substance use levels to acculturation indices. 4. Describe at least two AAPI stereotypes rebutted by NLAES data
Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, National Health Interview Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Institute on Drug Abuse provided technical assistance to the NIDA WorkGroup. This paper refers to NIDA's research portfolio on AAPI's
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.