Exploring Heavy Drinking Patterns Among Black and White Young Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: This investigation examined patterns of heavy drinking among Black and White young adults from a person-centered perspective and linked family and individual factors in adolescence to young adult drinking patterns. Method: The analysis focuses on 331 10th-grade students (168 Whites, 163 Blacks; 51% males) who were followed into young adulthood (ages 20 and 22). Cluster analyses using heavy episodic drinking, drunkenness, and alcohol problems in young adulthood resulted in groups of drinkers with different patterns. Groups were examined across and within race. Associations between young adult drinking groups and adolescent family and individual factors were tested. Results: Groups followed well-established race differences, with Whites clustering into frequent drinking groups more than Blacks, and Blacks clustering into non-heavy drinking groups more than Whites.Further, Black heavy drinkers reported fewer alcohol problems than White counterparts. Parental monitoring, consistent discipline, ethnic identity, and delinquency were associated with adult heavy episodic drinking groups for both races. Monitoring and delinquency, along with parental norms, were associated with drunkenness groups for both races. However, race differences were observed for drunkenness clusters such that attachment was predictive for White clusters, and parental guidelines and discipline were predictive for Black clusters. Conclusions: Large race differences in heavy drinking at young adulthood were confi rmed.

Profiling of Student-Athletes using Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Use Based on Cluster Analysis Assignment

“…Student-athletes who identify as white are more likely than their non-white counterparts to be in the moderate and highrisk drinking groups. This is consistent with a prior cluster study (Klima, Skinner, Haggerty, Crutchfield, & Catalano, 2014) in which groups followed well-established race differences, with Whites clustering into frequent drinking groups more than Blacks, and Blacks clustering into non-heavy drinking groups more than Whites. Additionally, student-athletes who play high-contact sports, as defined by the NCAA, are more likely to be in the high-risk drinking group versus moderate risk or low risk.…”

Binge drinking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions

“…A variety of studies provide evidence of the correspondence between the binge drinking behaviour of parents and their adolescent offspring (Abar, Turrisi, & Mallett, 2014;Cleveland, Reavy, Mallett, Turrisi, & White, 2014;Crutzen, Giabbanelli, Jander, Mercken, & de Vries, 2015;Donaldson, Handren, & Crano, 2016;Haugland, Strandheim, & Bratberg, 2012;Klima, Skinner, Haggerty, Crutchfield, & Catalano, 2014;Pedersen & von Soest, 2013). Besides shared genetic factors that may be partly responsible for this link (Crabbe, Harris, & Koob, 2011;Desrivieres et al, 2008), role modelling and social learning processes are important because adolescents may adopt the excessive substance use habits of parents and siblings even if they perceive the negative consequences of it and judge it as 'too high' (Kuntsche & Meyer, 2002).…”

“…There is consistent evidence that adolescents whose parents provide both boundaries and empathy, and monitor their activities and whereabouts have a lower binge drinking risk Kelly et al, 2016;Klima et al, 2014;Pedersen & von Soest, 2013;Soloski, Kale Monk, & Durtschi, 2016;Song, Smiler, Wagoner, & Wolfson, 2012;Steiner et al, 2014;Stickley et al, 2013). In contrast, authoritarian or neglectful parents are more likely to have binge drinking offspring (Stafstrom, 2014).…”

The Association of Low Parental Monitoring With Early Substance Use in European American and African American Adolescent Girls

“…Numerous studies examining parental monitoring and substance use outcomes include individuals from various racial/ethnic minority groups (Byrnes et al, 2011;DiClemente et al, 2001;Fang et al, 2011;Klima et al, 2014;Marsiglia et al, 2012;Reifman et al, 1998;Stanton et al, 2002;Strunin et al, 2013;Tobler & Komro, 2010), and despite some evidence of lower parental monitoring levels in African American (AA) than European American (EA) families (Bird et al, 2001;Griesler & Kandel, 1998;Mahabee-Gittens et al, 2012), racial/ethnic differences in the degree of association between parental monitoring and early substance use have not been consistently reported (c.f., see Bohnert et al, 2009).…”