About a year and a half ago we noted a survey being conducted by Summi Kaipa, a doctoral student in psychology, on drug use among Indian Americans. She was looking for participants, and sent us the following note:
The data gathered from this study will help to understand
whether drug and alcohol use is a problem among Asian Indians, what
groups are most susceptible, and some factors that predict or prevent
drug and alcohol use. It will also to educate health
professionals about substance abuse problems in the community and to
tailor prevention and treatment strategies to helping Asian Indians.
Summi recently sent us another brief note, with her conclusion on which Indians are more or less likely to become substance abusers. Interestingly, those who are more religious are found to be less prone to drugs or alcohol:
THE IMPACT OF ACCULTURATION, ACCULTURATIVE STRESS AND ETHNIC IDENTITY ON
SUBSTANCE USE AMONG ASIAN INDIANS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES (Sumana
Kaipa, 2008)
The results suggest that the level of acculturation to American norms among Asian Indians is most influential in affecting their use of drugs and alcohol. Not surprisingly, increased religiosity and education were associated with decreased consumption of substances. Interestingly, neither length of residence in the United States, gender, a positive relationship to one's ethnic identity, nor the stress in acculturating were significantly correlated with increased or decreased substance use behaviors.
The results suggest that the level of acculturation to American norms among Asian Indians is most influential in affecting their use of drugs and alcohol. Not surprisingly, increased religiosity and education were associated with decreased consumption of substances. Interestingly, neither length of residence in the United States, gender, a positive relationship to one's ethnic identity, nor the stress in acculturating were significantly correlated with increased or decreased substance use behaviors.
