Su Yeong Kim on Ethnic Identity as a Protective Factor Against Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors

Dr. Su Yeong Kim’s Research Reflections

The period of emerging adulthood is usually marked as a period of free time and discovery. However, to most college students, it is also a time of reckless ways. Studies have always indicated that alcohol intoxication, drug abuse, and risky sex activities are at their peak in these years. These risks, in combination with cultural and social experiences, affect the challenges and strengths of African American and Afro-Caribbean students.

This study, published in the Journal of American College Health (2018), by Angela M. Bowman Heads, Angel M. Glover, Linda G. Castillo, Shelley Blozis, and Su Yeong Kim posed the following critical question: Is strong ethnic identity able to help African American college students prevent substance use and sexual risk behaviors? The response, the research concluded, is yes, but the narrative is subtle.

Understanding Ethnic Identity and Socialization

Labeling ethnic identity is not that. It demonstrates the extent to which people have a sense of belonging to their ethnic community and also pride in their culture and engage in it. This identity may be a motivating force to African American college students who may be facing circumstances that do not necessarily validate their experience.

The research was based on two elements of ethnic identity. The former is Exploration (EI Search), which is defined as the process of learning and becoming more immersed in their culture. The second is Affirmation, Belonging, and Commitment (EI ABC), meaning emotional affiliation, pride, and devotion to a group.

Ethnic racial socialization was also considered in the research, which is the messages students get about cultural pride, values, and biased preparation by their families. Though its risk behavioral effects may have been less noticeable, it was an act that was generally thought to be protective.

Findings from Su Yeong Kim’s Collaborative Study

This peer study involved a detailed survey of 398 African American and Afro-Caribbean students across 30 U.S. colleges and universities. Some of the major findings revealed striking patterns.

Ethnic Identity Decreases Substance Use : Young individuals who scored high on EI ABC said they were less likely to engage in hazardous drinking and less likely to be involved in drugs. Pride and belonging served as buffers and disincentivized actions that might damage both the health and the reputation of the community.

Mixed Impact on Sexual Risk : The protective effect of ethnic identity, as compared to substance use, was also less evenly distributed with regard to sexual behaviors. High EI ABC students did not resort to risky behaviors, which indicates that other factors like peer influence, campus culture, or relationship contexts might be even more important in this area.

No Direct Predictors in Socialization : However, family messages concerning culture and race had no direct negative impact on substance use and risky sex. However, it was observed that socialization could be indirect through reinforcement of ethnic identity in the long term.

Gender Differences Persist : Men had higher rates of hazardous alcohol use and casual sex as compared to women, who had higher rates of unprotected sex. Such disparities support the significance of developing interventions using the customary experience of male and female students as their basis.

Impact of Affirmation, Belonging, and Commitment

Protective factor EI ABC was the strongest. Students who said they were proud of their culture and had a strong sense of belonging had a lower likelihood of abusing drugs or being hard-drinking. According to the researchers, cultural pride deters behavior that can be used to strengthen negative stereotypes about African Americans. It is also helpful in promoting healthier coping behaviours among students when they are stressed.

Exploration, or EI Search, was not as protective in itself. Education about heritage is good, yet without an emotional attachment and commitment it might not be sufficient to overcome peer pressures or prohibitions that exist on campus promoting risk behaviors. This finding means the emotional commitment of cultural pride will take precedence over knowledge.

Implications for Families, Counselors, Educators

The study also presents some critical lessons to consider when it comes to working with African American college students.

1. Encouraging Ethnic Development: Risky behavior is minimized via programs that give the feeling of pride, belonging, and cultural validation. Mentoring or cultural groups and heritage-based workshops would be some of the best strategies.
2. Bringing Cultural Relevance to Interventions: When prevention and counseling programs reflect the cultural values of students, there is a likelihood of the students engaging in these programs. Interventions that focus on identity and cultural strength can be designed to achieve a better outcome.
3. Taking Advantage of Self-Affirmation Exercises: Simple things such as being able to write about cultural strength and cultural values minimise stress levels and overcome stereotype threat. These practices may be integrated into campus life to help with resilience.
4. Identifying Patterns of Gendering: Men and women are not exposed to the same risks and pressures. Prevention and intervention programs should capture these differences as opposed to using the same approach to all students.

Moving Forward: Su Yeong Kim’s Call for Resilience-Based Interventions

This study refigures African American college students not just in the context of risk but in the context of resilience as well. The power of affirmation, belonging, and commitment to ethnic identity serves as a great mechanism to resist the temptations of alcohol, drugs, and unsafe sex.

At the same time, the findings expose the complexity of identity. It is evident that EI ABC protects against substance use, but its sexual behaviors are not. The next point of study can be the interaction of ethnic identity with peer influence, expectations in relationships, and campus environments.

Above all, universities, families, and communities can work on the strengths that students already possess. Institutions can prevent injury to African American students and ensure that they flourish in college by encouraging cultural pride and identity development.

Read the full research:

This article is based on the study Dimensions of Ethnic Identity as Protective Factors for Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors in African American College Students by Angela M. Bowman Heads, Angel M. Glover, Linda G. Castillo, Shelley Blozis, and Su Yeong Kim, published in the Journal of American College Health (2018).