Gender differences in the relationship between discrimination and substance use disorder

Research suggests that exposure to stressors, such as discrimination, may be a critical determinant in explaining the substance use patterns among Latinos. We examined the relationship between unfair treatment and racial/ethnic specific discrimination and risk of substance use disorders among Latinos, as well as gender differences in these associations. Our data came from Latinos recruited to the National Latino and Asian American Study (n=2554), a nationally representative study of Latinos living in the US. We performed gender-stratified weighted logistic regressions to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios of lifetime substance use disorders for both unfair treatment and racial/ethnic discrimination. For men, low, moderate, and high levels of unfair treatment were associated with increased risk of lifetime substance use disorder compared to those reporting no unfair treatment in adjusted models. Low, moderate, and high levels of racial/ethnic discrimination were also associated with increased risk of lifetime substance use disorder compared to those reporting no racial/ethnic discrimination. For women, only high levels of unfair treatment associated with increased risk of lifetime substance use disorder in adjusted models. Racial/ethnic discrimination was not associated with increased risk of lifetime substance use disorder at any level. Our results suggest that experiencing discrimination is a risk factor for substance use disorders, especially among Latino men. Health providers should consider the role discrimination plays in the development of alcohol and drug dependence.