Pathways from racial/ethnic discrimination experience to cannabis use intentions: a longitudinal study of the mediating roles of perceived accessibility and harm among preteens
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Start Page
1-14
ISSN
1533-2640
1533-2659
Date Issued
2026-01-13
Author(s)
Abstract
This study aimed to explore potential mediation pathways between racial/ethnic discrimination experience and cannabis use intention through perceived cannabis accessibility and then perceived harm. Preteens ( = 2,690, ages 9-13) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Release 4.0) were included. Structural equation modeling was conducted. Experiencing racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with higher cannabis use intention ( = 0.068, < 0.05). Preteens who experienced racial/ethnic discrimination were more likely to perceive cannabis as more accessible ( = 0.134, < 0.05), resulting in lower perceived harm (=-0.123, < 0.001), which subsequently increased cannabis use intention (=-0.085, < 0.001). These results emphasize the need for interventions to address discrimination-related trauma in preteens.
Subjects
Racial/ethnic discrimination
cannabis use intention
pre-adolescence
sequential mediation
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Type
journal article