Clinical Characteristics of Alcohol Drinking and Acculturation Issues Faced by Korean Immigrants in the United States

Understanding differences in alcohol consumption and depressed mood between U.S.- and foreign-born Asian and Caucasian college students

“…Living at home with family may provide greater connection with family and material support (Lum et al, 2009) in addition to potentially being less exposed to a campus culture that promotes drinking (Larimer et al, 2004). Additionally, as a part of the drinking culture, there may be less social acceptance for drinking and drinking-to-cope among foreign-born Asian college students as stigma and religious and philosophical influences against alcohol use and problematic drinking have been widely documented factors influencing drinking behaviors in the Asian population (Chamratrithirong et al, 2010; Yang et al, 2008; Yun & Park, 2008). Furthermore, foreign-born Asian college students may be more likely to turn to different alcohol-free activities (e.g., being involved in ethnic student organizations) to alleviate mood symptoms, thus reducing the need for using alcohol to cope.…”

“…As a part of the drinking culture, stigma against alcohol use and problematic drinking has been a widely documented factor influencing drinking behaviors in the Asian population (Yang, Phelan, & Link, 2008). Furthermore, Buddhist teaching has been linked to abstinence from alcohol in Asia (Chamratrithirong et al, 2010) while Confucian and Taoist teachings emphasize moderate alcohol consumption (Yun & Park, 2008). In fact, the influence of the Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist teachings has been considered as an explanation for the low rate of alcohol consumption among Asian Americans.…”

South Korean alcohol free associations: Negative expectancy not predicting drinks per occasion

“…This large rate of South Korean alcohol consumption appears to be largely driven by the male population, where for example men drink around 18 L a year compared with 1 L for women, and where the rural area, lifetime alcohol dependence rates have been shown to be 22% for men but only around 1% for women [2]. It has been suggested that Confucianism may affect such large consumption rates and gender differences, where people report feeling pressured to partake in social binge drinking, but where women are often strongly discouraged from consuming alcohol [3].…”

Comparison of heavy episodic drinking patterns between Korean and Chinese immigrants

“…Recent studies have detected a rise in alcohol-related problems among Asian Americans (Hahm et al, 2004;Iwamoto et al, 2012), which may be related to increased acculturation of younger generations (Cook et al, 2012;Grant et al, 2004;Hahm et al, 2004;Lum, Corliss, Mays, Cochran, & Lui, 2009;Sakai et al, 2005;Yun & Park, 2008). According to Hahm et al (2004), Asian American adolescents with higher degrees of acculturation were more likely to drink.…”

“…Asian Americans are typically viewed as the "model minority" and as such, drinking issues may be wrongfully ignored (Yun & Park, 2008). Differences in drinking rates have been connected to genetic or physical differences, and more recently, sociocultural factors have been shown to predict drinking patterns among Asian individuals as well (Hahm, Lahiff, & Guterman, 2004).…”