Substance use, gender, and generation status among Asian Indians in the United States

Abstract

This study examined substance use (cigarette, alcohol, and illicit drug) among first- and second-generation Asian Indian women and men (n = 1,209; ages 18–34) living in the United States. Participants reported low rates of substance use compared to national averages. First-generation participants reported lower rates of substance use. Men were more likely to have used alcohol and tried cigarettes. Within the first generation, gender differences were only significant for alcohol, but within the second generation, gender differences were significant for all three substances. The findings support the resiliency of immigrants and highlight gender differences that occur among second-generation participants.