The relationship of cultural variables to attitudes toward prescription drug usage among Iranian/Persian Americans.

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of cultural factors(ethnic identity, acculturation, perceived discrimination, and religiosity), derived from the Multicultural Assessment-Intervention Process (MAIP) model, on attitudes toward prescription drug use among Iranian/Persian Americans across the United States. The study consisted of a final sample of 454 Iranian/Persian American adult participants. The results indicated that Iranian/Persian American attitudes toward prescription drug use are impacted by demographic and cultural factors. Less heritage acculturation was found to be a predictor of attitudes toward the use of recreational and achievement-oriented prescription drug use. Further, perceived discrimination, specifically, perceived stigmatization and threat/aggression as well as less identification with Iranian/Persian heritage culture, were found to predict more positive attitudes toward prescription drug use among Iranian/Persian Americans. Religiosity was not found to be predictive of prescription drug usage. The present study underscores the usefulness of considering the impact of Iranian/Persian American ethnic identity, acculturation, and perceived discrimination in treating substance abuse within this population. Clinical implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.