Stress and Coping Model of Alcohol Use among Treatment-seeking Asian Americans

Abstract

Alcohol use and related problems among Asian Americans (AAs) may result from an interplay of culture, genetics, stress, and historic experience. Adequately examining these factors and their relationships requires a theory-based, culturally-relevant model. The stress and coping model of substance use (Wills & Shiffman, 1985) is a promising framework for examining the etiologies of alcohol use. This study evaluated this classic model and a culturally-relevant model among treatment-seeking AAs with alcohol use disorders. We hypothesized that adding culturally-relevant predictors (i.e. acculturative stress, family conflicts, somatic symptoms, avoidance and detachment coping style) to the classic stress and coping model would enhance the predictability of the classic model. Participants (N = 92) were recruited from a community mental health agency and the majority of participants were foreign-born males with low socioeconomic status, who sought treatment due to a legal mandate. Path analyses with Maximum Likelihood estimation were used. The lack of association between alcohol use and related problems speaks to the role of culture in perceptions of alcohol use related problems, and the importance of prevention research for AAs. Findings offer implications on etiology, course of illness, consequences, and expectations for treatment.