Exploring Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Substance Dependence and Serious Psychological Distress among US Veterans

Schuyler C. Lawson, Mehreen Arif, Rachel A. Hoopsick, D. Lynn Homish, Gregory G. Homish

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: There are substantial racial/ethnic disparities in substance use and mental health among civilian populations, but few studies have examined these disparities in veterans using a nationally representative sample. Thus, we examined differences in substance dependence and serious psychological distress (SPD) by race/ethnicity among a national sample of US veterans. Methods: We pooled cross-sectional data from the 2015–2019 waves of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 7,653 veterans aged 18–64 years). Regression models were utilized to examine racial/ethnic differences in DSM-IV substance dependence and SPD with a Benjamini–Hochberg correction applied. Results: Compared to non-Hispanic White veterans: American Indian/Alaska Native veterans had significantly higher odds of past-year alcohol dependence (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.28, 5.08); Asian American veterans had significantly lower odds of past-year alcohol dependence (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.62); non-Hispanic Black (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.77), Hispanic (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.65), and veterans of more than one race (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.83) had significantly lower odds of past-month nicotine dependence; Asian American veterans had significantly lower odds of past-year illicit drug dependence (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.35); and non-Hispanic Black veterans had significantly lower odds of past-year SPD (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.85) after correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusion: Overall, racial/ethnic disparities in substance dependence and SPD among veterans are not as stark as in civilian populations, but some disparities remain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2945-2957
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Alcohol dependence
  • Illicit drug dependence
  • Nicotine dependence
  • Psychological distress
  • Racial disparities
  • Veterans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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