Perceived Ethnic Discrimination and Negative Emotional Reactivity to Minority Stress: Association with Cannabis Use Processes Among United States Hispanic/Latinx Adults

Abstract

Objective: Cannabis use has been increasing among the Hispanic/Latinx population in the United States (US). Little research has expressly focused on culturally relevant factors related to cannabis use processes and problems among this group. The present investigation sought to help bridge this gap and test the main and interactive effects of perceived ethnic discrimination and negative emotional reactivity to minority stress in terms of cannabis use processes, including perceived barriers for cannabis reduction, cannabis use problems, and cannabis use motives, among Hispanic/Latinx adults in the US.  Method: Participants were recruited through Qualtrics Panels and included 521 adults who engaged in current (past month) cannabis use (M_age = 36.52 years, SD = 10.26; 55.1% male). Results: In adjusted models, for perceived barriers for cannabis reduction and cessation as well as cannabis use problems, both perceived ethnic discrimination and negative emotional reactivity to minority stress were independently associated with higher odds of endorsement. For cannabis use motives, negative emotional reactivity to minority stress was positively associated with enhancement, social, coping, and expansion motives, whereas perceived ethnic discrimination was a contributor to conformity motives; effects ranged from small to medium. No interactive effects emerged as statistically significant. Conclusions: The current findings suggest that among the U.S. Hispanic/Latinx population, screening and intervening upon perceived ethnic discrimination and negative emotional reactivity to minority stress may help mitigate challenges with the continued use of cannabis.