The Relationship between Discrimination, Distress Tolerance, and Substance Use in an Arab American Community Sample

Abstract

Research regarding the experiences of Arab Americans is challenging. This may be due to the fact that the U.S Census Bureau does not recognize Arab American as a separate ethnic group. Consequently, when large, federally funded studies use the U.S Census Bureau’s categories, Arab Americans typically have to identify as white and their experiences are failed to be included. The purpose of this study was to examine the contributing factors that lead to the use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana within emerging Arab American adults. Past research suggests that the experience of discrimination may be related to substance use in minority groups. This study considered how experience with discrimination and tolerance to distressful events may be influencing substance use within this group. As an exploratory analysis, the role that religiosity may be playing in the relationship between discrimination, distress tolerance and substance use within Arab Americans was examined. Utilizing an online survey, 295 Arab Americans were recruited across the country to participate in this study. To be eligible, participants had to be of Arab descent, between 18-29 years of age, currently living in the United States and been living in the U.S. since 10 years of age or younger. More experience with discrimination was related to less tolerance to distress. Discrimination was negatively correlated to alcohol and marijuana use. Distress tolerance did not mediate the relationship between discrimination and substance use. Religiosity did not moderate the relationship between all the variables. The study has implications for future research to study what factors lead Arab Americans to use substances. Clinical implications include emphasis for prevention programs as well as lifting the stigma around substance use in Arab Americans to help people within this group to feel more comfortable in seeking out treatment.