Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 2026

Abstract

Multicultural efforts to understand how enculturation could reduce alcohol-related harms among American Indian and Alaska Native and Mexican American young adults in the Southwest United States have been lacking. The present mixed methods study tested the cross-cultural applicability of Walters et al.’s (2002) Indigenist Stress-Coping Model, which suggests enculturation moderates the relationship between historical trauma and drinking, between these groups using moderated linear regression. Participants (N=120) completed an online survey with items from the Historical and Intergenerational Trauma Transmission Questionnaire (HITT-Q), the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA) heritage subscale (i.e., enculturation), NIAAA’s 30-day drinking consumption questionnaire, and one qualitative prompt. VIA heritage scores were negatively associated with drinking consumption score but was not a moderator between the HITT-Q and drinking. Themes related to internalized stereotypes, modern cultural alcohol use, and potential missing covariates are discussed. Enculturation may be a relevant multicultural behavioral outcome to assess in cognitive-behavioral alcohol use treatments.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Kamilla Venner, Ph.D.

Second Committee Member

Katie Witkiewitz, Ph.D.

Third Committee Member

Cassandra Boness, Ph.D.

Language

English

Keywords

alcohol use, drinking, substance use, American Indian and Alaska Native, Mexican American, cultural identity

Document Type

Thesis

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