Racial and ethnic differences in distress, discrimination, substance use coping, and nicotine use among parents during COVID-19

Abstract

This study identified contributing factors for tobacco-related inequities among parents (N = 331) during COVID-19. Compared to non-Hispanic White parents, Asian, Black, and multiracial parents experienced greater discrimination. Parents with a nicotine use history experienced greater discrimination and substance use coping relative to tobacco abstainers. Among parents who used nicotine during the pandemic (n = 45), experiencing financial loss, having COVID-19, and greater worries were positively associated with nicotine reductions during COVID-19. Being female, increased family members with COVID-19, discrimination, and substance use coping were negatively associated with nicotine reductions. Tobacco interventions that reduce substance use coping and increase alternative coping are needed.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• parent
• social determinants of health
• substance use coping
• tobacco

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interests.

Data availability statement

The data underlying this article will be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

Manuscript preparation was supported through R01CA221819, R01MH126586, P20CA253255, and a grant through the Health Promotion Research Center.