Ethnicity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Negative Emotions and Alcohol Use in British Asian and White University Students

ABSTRACT

The present study explored the relationships between negative emotions and alcohol use in British Asian and White university students. A convenience sample of 239 participants (120 British Asians and 119 British White) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Quantity Frequency Scale (QFS). Correlation and regression analyses revealed that there was a positive relationship between negative emotions and alcohol consumption for Whites but not for Asians. These preliminary results suggest that British Asian students consume alcohol at similar levels to British White students, but may be doing so for social rather than for emotional self-regulatory purposes. The practical implications of these findings are discussed. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <[email protected]> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]

KEYWORDS:

• British
• Asian
• university students
• alcohol
• emotions