Less drinking, yet more problems: Understanding African American drinking and related problems.

Abstract

Researchers have found that, compared to European Americans, African Americans report later initiation of drinking, lower rates of use, and lower levels of use across almost all age groups. Nevertheless, African Americans also have higher levels of alcohol problems than European Americans. After reviewing current data regarding these trends, we provide a theory to understand this apparent paradox as well as to understand variability in risk among African Americans. Certain factors appear to operate as both protective factors against heavy use and risk factors for negative consequences from use. For example, African American culture is characterized by norms against heavy alcohol use or intoxication, which protects against heavy use but which also provides within group social disapproval when use does occur. African Americans are more likely to encounter legal problems from drinking than European Americans, even at the same levels of consumption, perhaps thus resulting in reduced consumption but more problems from consumption. There appears to be one particular group of African Americans, low-income African American men, who are at the highest risk for alcoholism and related problems. We theorize that this effect is due to the complex interaction of residential discrimination, racism, age of drinking, and lack of available standard life reinforcers (e.g., stable employment and financial stability). Further empirical research will be needed to test our theories and otherwise move this important field forward. A focus on within group variation in drinking patterns and problems is necessary. We suggest several new avenues of inquiry.

Relationship of Usual Volume and Heavy Consumption to Risk of Alcohol-Related Injury: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Four U.S. National Alcohol Surveys

“…Although fi ndings here partly support those from previous studies of higher rates of alcohol-related problems at lower levels of consumption among Hispanics (Galvan & Caetano, 2003;Mulia et al, 2008Mulia et al, , 2009), they do not support similar fi ndings among Blacks (Galvan & Caetano, 2003;Herd, 1994;Jones-Webb et al, 1997;Zapolski et al, 2014) and emphasize the importance of considering race/ethnicity in studies of injury risks related to alcohol use and heavy drinking patterns. In addition, it is important to note that analyses here were conducted on current drinkers, among whom a smaller percentage are Black (52.1%) and Hispanic (55.2%) than White (68.8%), suggesting, from a public health perspective, that these ethnic minorities contribute a smaller share of the burden of ARI to society.…”

Drinking Behaviors and Life Course Socioeconomic Status During the Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood Among Whites and Blacks

“…Yet it could also refl ect the social networks within one's educational or occupational affi liations/groups/standing, or cultural and religious infl uences where abstinence is common. Prior research suggests this may be a dominant infl uence on drinking behaviors among Blacks (Godette et al, 2006;Nasim et al, 2007;Zapolski et al, 2014). Compared with the most advantaged group, upwardly and downwardly mobile groups were also more likely to abstain from alcohol.…”

Food–alcohol competition: As young females eat more food, do they drink less alcohol?

“…Also, culture (for which race served as a proxy in our study) might shape which rewards are preferred. For instance, it is a norm among African Americans that alcohol need not to be integrated into aspects of social life, such as mealtimes, religious activities, and celebrations (Zapolski et al, 2014). Might this cultural practice decrease alcohol consumption and instead promote consumption of sweet high-fat foods?…”