Stronger Arab American Identity and Religious Practice Were Linked to Less Cannabis Use in College Students

Greater ethnic identity affirmation was linked to less frequent cannabis use (OR 0.58, p=0.030), while greater ethnic identity search was linked to lower odds of any cannabis use (OR 0.68, p=0.025). Higher religiosity was associated with both lower odds and frequency of cannabis use (OR 0.44, p=0.005), with significantly stronger associations among those from Muslim upbringings.

Cross-sectional study of 173 Arab American college students (mean age 20.1, 60.7% female, 44.5% Christian and 43.9% Muslim upbringing) recruited from a California university. Ethnic identity affirmation and search, religiosity, and past-year alcohol and cannabis use were self-reported.

Cultural and religious factors are underexplored protective mechanisms against substance use. This study shows that ethnic identity and religiosity can buffer cannabis use risk in Arab American students, suggesting culturally tailored prevention could be more effective than generic approaches.

Substance use prevention rarely accounts for cultural identity as a protective factor. This study suggests that programs supporting ethnic identity development and cultural connection could reduce substance use risk, an approach that empowers communities rather than stigmatizing them.

Small sample from a single California university. Cross-sectional design. Self-reported substance use during COVID-19 pandemic may not reflect typical patterns. Cannot determine causation. Limited to Arab American students; results may not generalize to other populations.