Associations between microaggressions, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use among Black young adults: findings from a pilot study

Objective This pilot study, which was designed to inform mobile health intervention development, assessed the frequency of various microaggressions and explored associations among microaggressions, alcohol use, depression, and anxiety in Black young adults. Methods Ninety-two Black adults (mean age = 22.2 [SD = 1.9]) who regularly consume alcohol were recruited through social media to complete a survey on microaggressions, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use. Microaggression frequencies were calculated and a Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test was used to model interrelationships among microaggressions, depression, and anxiety with respect to binge drinking. Results Past-30-day microaggression experiences were reported by 82.6% of participants. Stratified analyses signaled that the association between moderate/severe depression and binge drinking exclusively among individuals who had past-30-day microaggression experiences, approached statistical significance (OR = 2.58, 95% CI:0.94, 7.01; Cohen’s d = 0.52). Conclusion Findings highlight the pervasiveness of microaggressions and suggest that they may play a key contextual role in shaping binge drinking behaviors among Black young adults experiencing depression.