Belief in the Myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native Biological Vulnerability to Alcohol Problems Among Reservation-dwelling Participants with a Substance Use Problem
Dublin Core
Title
Belief in the Myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native Biological Vulnerability to Alcohol Problems Among Reservation-dwelling Participants with a Substance Use Problem
Subject
Alcoholism--United States--Psychological aspects
Electronic Resource Item Type Metadata
Journal Name
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
Volume
Vol. 45
Issue
No. 11
Publication Date
2021
Publisher
Wiley, on behalf of the Research Society on Alcoholism
Document Type
Journal article
Language
English
ISBN
15300277
Region
United States
Access
Restricted Access
View Source
Abstract
Background
Belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN)–specific biological vulnerability (BV) to alcohol problems is associated with worse alcohol outcomes among AIAN college students who drink, despite also being associated with greater attempts to reduce drinking. This study examined the association of belief in a BV with alcohol use among reservation-dwelling AI adults with a substance use problem.
Methods
Participants (n = 141) who drank alcohol in the past 90 days were selected from a larger AI sample who self-identified as having a substance use problem. Moderated-mediation analyses examined whether belief in a BV was positively associated with alcohol- and substance use-related consequences and whether self-efficacy and craving mediated the association of belief in a BV with alcohol use.
Results
Among participants who reported using alcohol but not hard drugs (e.g., methamphetamine, opioids), greater belief in a BV was associated with more drinking days, which in turn was associated with greater alcohol-related consequences. Among participants who used alcohol only, belief in a BV was also significantly associated with greater craving, and in turn with more drinking days. Among individuals who used both alcohol and hard drugs, greater belief in a BV was associated with fewer drinking days, but was not significantly associated with substance use-related consequences. No association was found between belief in a BV and self-efficacy to avoid alcohol or drug use.
Conclusions
Among individuals who use only alcohol, belief in a BV may contribute to more drinking days and greater alcohol-related consequences through its association with greater craving. This study provides further evidence of the potential harm of internalizing the belief that being AIAN contributes to the risk for alcohol problems, a notion that lacks scientific evidence despite decades of research. The findings highlight the importance of combating societal myths regarding AIAN peoples and the internalization of these stereotypes.
Belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN)–specific biological vulnerability (BV) to alcohol problems is associated with worse alcohol outcomes among AIAN college students who drink, despite also being associated with greater attempts to reduce drinking. This study examined the association of belief in a BV with alcohol use among reservation-dwelling AI adults with a substance use problem.
Methods
Participants (n = 141) who drank alcohol in the past 90 days were selected from a larger AI sample who self-identified as having a substance use problem. Moderated-mediation analyses examined whether belief in a BV was positively associated with alcohol- and substance use-related consequences and whether self-efficacy and craving mediated the association of belief in a BV with alcohol use.
Results
Among participants who reported using alcohol but not hard drugs (e.g., methamphetamine, opioids), greater belief in a BV was associated with more drinking days, which in turn was associated with greater alcohol-related consequences. Among participants who used alcohol only, belief in a BV was also significantly associated with greater craving, and in turn with more drinking days. Among individuals who used both alcohol and hard drugs, greater belief in a BV was associated with fewer drinking days, but was not significantly associated with substance use-related consequences. No association was found between belief in a BV and self-efficacy to avoid alcohol or drug use.
Conclusions
Among individuals who use only alcohol, belief in a BV may contribute to more drinking days and greater alcohol-related consequences through its association with greater craving. This study provides further evidence of the potential harm of internalizing the belief that being AIAN contributes to the risk for alcohol problems, a notion that lacks scientific evidence despite decades of research. The findings highlight the importance of combating societal myths regarding AIAN peoples and the internalization of these stereotypes.
Cataloger
Haley Lesemann
Citation
“Belief in the Myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native Biological Vulnerability to Alcohol Problems Among Reservation-dwelling Participants with a Substance Use Problem,” ICMGLT Digital Library, accessed November 3, 2026, https://library.icmglt.org/items/show/805.