Profiles of social disadvantage and their associations with alcohol use disorder criteria among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between social disadvantage and alcohol use disorder (AUD) among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people is poorly understood. The study explores the patterns of social disadvantage and their associations with the AUD criteria in this population.

METHODS

This study used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions-III on AAPI people's (N = 1801) social disadvantage, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), racial discrimination, and AUD. A three-step latent class analysis (LCA) using the Bolck, Croon, and Hagenaars (BCH) method was conducted to examine the heterogeneity within response patterns to items that describe social disadvantage among AAPI people. In addition, the relationship between classes and the AUD criteria was examined.

RESULTS

Three classes were identified: Class 1, labeled "High Adversity" (8.2%); Class 2, labeled "High Discrimination" (9.7%); and Class 3, labeled "Low Disadvantage" (82.2%). Results from the analyses of a multiple regression model suggest that Class 1 (High Adversity; B = 1.049, SE = 0.27, p < 0.001) is more susceptible to AUD compared to Class 3 (Low Disadvantage).

CONCLUSIONS

The average number of AUD criteria among AAPI people who had experienced high levels of adversity was 2.2. Latent class models demonstrate how social disadvantage is distributed across classes and illustrate its associations with the AUD criteria. Tailored interventions for AAPI people are required. Further studies are also necessary to more effectively understand social disadvantage in AAPI populations.