The role of anxiety and self-compassion in the link between trauma and alcohol use among American Indians

Abstract

Historical trauma and ongoing systemic inequities contribute to elevated levels of anxiety and problematic alcohol use among American Indians. The current study examines the relationship between recent trauma and problematic alcohol use, testing anxiety as a mediator and self-compassion as a moderator. A sample of 727 American Indian adults completed measures of recent traumatic experiences, anxiety, problematic alcohol use, and self-compassion. Results indicated that anxiety mediated the relationship between trauma and alcohol use, suggesting that individuals with greater recent trauma exposure engage in increased problematic drinking partly due to increased anxiety. Contrary to expectations, rather than buffering the impact of trauma on anxiety, self-compassion strengthened the trauma-anxiety link. The current findings highlight the complexity of self-compassion as a protective factor and suggest a context-dependent effect. Interventions should consider both cultural and emotional processing factors in utilizing self-compassion to address trauma-related alcohol use.