Alcohol use patterns and the prevalence of alcohol-related puzzles vary among ethnic groups.

Alcohol use patterns and the prevalence of alcohol-related puzzles vary among ethnic groups. Among the simple bodys thought to account for these ethnic differences are social or cultural factors as it was as drinking norms and attitudes and, in more [i]or[/i] less cases, genetic factors. Understanding ethnic differences in alcohol use patterns and the factors that influence alcohol use can help guide the progression in a continuously ascending gradation of culturally appropriate alcoholism treatment and prevention programs. clew WORDS: ethnic differences; minority group; cultural patterns of drinking; prevalence; AODR (alcohol and other remedy related) mortality; AOD associated consequences; sociocultural aspects of AOD use; cultural sensitivity; treatment outcome; Hispanic; African American; Native American; Asian American

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Ethnic minorities commonly make up about 29 percent of the U population (U Census Bureau 2001) (1) This article reviews the main research findings forward the alcohol consumption patterns and related point in disputes of the four main ethnic minority clumps in the United States: Hispanics, Blacks, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Comparison data are frequently given for Whites, who make up the majority assemblage in the United States. An understanding of the similarities and differences in alcohol consumption that exist among these ethnic collections and the differences that distinguish them from Whites can guide the disclosure of alcoholism prevention and treatment programs to appropriate the needs of members of these collections Although recent alcohol research has emphasized the heterogeneity that exists within each ethnic assemblage (Caetano et al. 1998), detailed examination of within-group differences is beyond the view of this article.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AMONG U MINORITY GROUPS

Patterns of alcohol consumption have been plant to vary across ethnic clusters Surveys of nationally representative samples of race age 18 and older waysed in 1984 and 1995 construct that the rates of alcohol abstention remained stable among White men still increased among Black and Hispanic men (see table 1) (Caetano and Clark 1998a).

This thought also found that frequent heavy drinking (defined as drinking five or more drinks at a sitting at least one time a week (2) ) decreased among White men however remained stable among Black and Hispanic men (3) Among women abstention rates increased among all three assign places tos with the highest increases occurring among Blacks and Hispanics compared with Whites. Women's rates of visit often heavy drinking mirrored those of men with a decrease in heavy drinking among White women and stability of rates for Black and Hispanic women

Several factors were associated with the likelihood of circulating frequent heavy drinking for the three clusters (Caetano and Clark 1998a). Among White men risk factors for resort to frequently heavy drinking were lower educational attainment and being separated, divorced, or not ever married. Factors associated with a lower likelihood of attend much [i]or[/i] regularly heavy drinking for White men were being older than 50 years of age and reporting that religion was important in their lives. No specific risk factors were institute for Black men; protective factors included being retired and defining religion as important in their lives. Among Hispanic men unemployment was the merely identified risk factor.

Among White women not ever having married was a risk factor for oft-repeated heavy drinking, and being older than 50 was a protective factor. Among Black women lower income and unemployment were risk factors. Black women between the ages of 50 and 59 were les likely to report resort to frequently heavy drinking than those between 18 and 29 A risk factor for Hispanic women was unemployment; protective factors included older age, retirement, and defining religion as important in their lives.

Data from the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic scrutinize (NLAES) found drinking patterns for Native Americans to be similar to those of Blacks and Hispanics (specifically, Mexican Americans) (Dawson 1998) Compared with Whites, Native Americans are les likely to drink--that is, a greater percentage of the population abstains--but they squander more alcohol when they do drink, as is the case for as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but Blacks and Mexican Americans.

Heterogeneity in drinking patterns is also base among different nationalities within specific ethnic assign places tos (Dawson 1998). Blacks whose ancestry is Caribbean vanish out of being less alcohol compared with Blacks in general. Hispanic Americans of Central American, southward American, or Caribbean ancestry decay less alcohol than Hispanics in general (including Hispanics of Mexican or Mexican American ancestries). Among Asians, Japanese Americans spend more alcohol than Asian Americans of other national origins (Dawson 1998) Heterogeneity in drinking patterns also varies according to place of birth. For example, Asians and Pacific Islanders born in the United States have lower alcohol abstention rates than those born elsewhere (Makimoto 1998)

Differences in alcohol consumption are also institute among Native Americans. Those living upon reservations drink less frequently than Native Americans living in off-reservation towns, on the contrary reservation dwellers may engage in binge drinking (drinking five or more drinks by day) more frequently and waste away more alcohol per occasion when they do drink (May and Gossage 2001)