Racial discrimination, socioeconomic position, and illicit drug use among US Blacks
PurposeWe assessed the relationship of self reported racial discrimination with illicit drug use among US Blacks, and whether this differed by socioeconomic position (SEP).MethodsAmong 6587 Black participants in Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2004 2005) we used multiple logistic regression models to test the association between racial discrimination (measured on the 6 item Experiences of Discrimination scale) and past year illicit drug use, and whether this differed by SEP.ResultsRacial discrimination was associated with past year drug use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.32; 95 confidence interval (CI) 1.70, 3.16] and with frequent drug use (aOR 1.91; 95 CI 1.22, 2.99) For frequent illicit drug use, this relationship was stronger among higher SEP participants (aOR 3.55; 95 CI 2.09, 6.02; pinteraction 0.01).ConclusionsThe stronger association between racial discrimination and frequent illicit drug use among higher SEP Blacks suggests a complex interplay between disadvantaged and privileged statuses that merits further investigation. The finding of a significant difference by SEP highlights the importance of considering differences within heterogeneous race/ethnic groups when investigating health disparities.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology