Black identity and drinking in the US: a national study

Abstract

The relationship between ethnic identity and drinking patterns was explored in 1947 black adults from a nation-wide study of drinking behavior. Factor analysis revealed that a multi-dimensional construct which included four factors-media preferences, socio-political awareness, endogamy and social networks-was necessary to operationalize and measure the concept of ethnic identity. Using structural equation modeling, a model was tested which analyzed the impact of ethnic identification on religiosity and drinking norms, which in turn were predictors of drinking and heavier drinking latent variables. The results showed that ethnic identity influenced drinking behavior indirectly through its effects on drinking norms and religiosity as well as directly. Most aspects of ethnic identity decreased drinking levels. Respondents who scored higher on involvement with black social networks and black social and political awareness drank at lower levels than other respondents. These results were attributed to the prevalence of norms for abstinence and high levels of social control regarding drinking in black communities. However, high scores on using black media increased drinking rates. It was suggested that the promotion of alcohol use in black orientated media as well as the social settings attended by those who prefer black media might increase alcohol consumption.

Gender Differences in the Roles of Religion and Locus of Control on Alcohol Use and Smoking Among African Americans

“…With regard to the interaction with active spiritual health locus of control, perhaps without the grounding and support provided by a religious community, African American women are using active spiritual health locus of control beliefs as a mechanism for coping with stress or life events, along with heavy alcohol use. The current findings, at least among women, are supportive of a previous examination of the role of ethnic identity in alcohol use among African Americans, suggesting that participation in African American social networks is associated with lower use (Herd & Grube, 1996). This situation is consistent with the idea that African American women are more likely than their male counterparts to be engaged in faith communities, and therefore are more likely to receive this protective effect.…”

“…An investigation of ethnic identity and drinking behavior revealed that, among a national sample of African Americans, ethnic identity was negatively associated with alcohol consumption (Herd & Grube, 1996). This was the case for one aspect of ethnic identity involving participation in "black social networks" (e.g., church, friends, neighborhood).…”

Ethnicity and Ethnic Identity as Predictors of Drug Norms and Drug Use Among Preadolescents in the US Southwest

“…Ethnic identity was found to mediate effects on descriptive drinking norms and religiosity that, in turn, influenced drinking behavior (Herd and Grube, 1996). A common theme in this kind of research is that more traditional or conservative cultural norms have a buffer or protective effect on Latinos/as and other ethnic minority groups against substance abuse (Marsiglia and Navarro, 1999;Marsiglia and Waller, 2002;Niemann et al, 2000).…”

Social Identity and Health: An Intergroup Communication Approach to Cancer

“…So self-exams for testicular cancer, for instance, might not be expected to follow the pattern described previously, or highly identified men might be less likely to seek treatment. More theoretical and empirical work will be necessary to tease apart such complex issues (Herd & Grube, 1996;Morman, 2000). Finally, group identification may influence cancer risk when identification is tied to particular behaviors.…”