Effect of perceived neighborhood norms on binge drinking and illicit drug use among non-Hispanic Asian American and White adults in the United States

Objective: To investigate the association between perceived neighborhood norms and binge drinking and illicit drug use among non-Hispanic Whites and Asian Americans; to test the interaction between norms and race or, among Asian Americans, nativity on these behaviors. Methods: Data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used, including 25,608 White and 1,054 Asian American adults (332 U.S.-born and 722 foreign-born). Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between perceived neighborhood norms and binge drinking and illicit drug use as well as the interactions between norms and race or nativity. Results: Perceived favorable neighborhood norms for trying marijuana or hashish and daily alcohol drinking were associated with higher odds of reporting illicit drug use (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.13–3.04) and binge drinking (aOR=1.56; 95% CI: 1.41–1.73), respectively. No interaction between norms and race was observed. Among U.S.-born Asian Americans, perceived favorable neighborhood norms for trying marijuana or hashish and daily alcohol drinking were associated with over three-fold increase in odds of reporting illicit drug use or binge drinking. Among foreign-born Asian Americans, only the association between perceived norms concerning marijuana or hashish and illicit drug use was significant. Conclusions: Perceived favorable neighborhood norms are associated with higher odds of reporting binge drinking or illicit drug use in both racial groups. The effect of perceived neighborhood norms may vary across nativity groups among Asian Americans. Future substance use intervention programs might benefit from changing related neighborhood norms.