On drinking styles and race: a consideration of the socio-structural determinants of alcohol use behavior

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2009;8(2):146-62. doi: 10.1080/15332640902897024.

Abstract

Often missing from the discourse on alcohol use is that "alcohol-related problems among college students" appears to be a euphemism for "white college men" in that students who experience alcohol-related problems disproportionately tend to be white men. An important aspect of promoting social and behavioral change is to understand race-related mechanisms that structure desire for students to engage in alcohol use. This article presents findings based on undergraduate students attending a Midwest university. The current study contributes to the theoretical literature on alcohol use and race. We use logistic regression models which suggest race and attitudes pertaining to race relations matter in predicting non-binge drinking and abstinence behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / ethnology
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Data Collection
  • Ethanol / poisoning*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Midwestern United States
  • Race Relations / psychology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Students
  • Temperance / psychology
  • Universities
  • White People / psychology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Ethanol