Regional Differences in Alcohol Consumption and Drinkers' Attitudes toward Drinking

Abstract

Based on a November 1986 national probability sample of American adults aged 21 and over (1,069 of whom were deemed “drinkers” on the basis of having consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the 7 days prior to interview), this study examines whether region of residence influences drinkers' alcohol consumption and/or their perceptions of alcohol use. In addition to examining the main effects of the relationship between geographic region of residence and alcohol use, four measures of urbanization are also investigated for their influence on drinking. Results indicate that geographic region of residence makes little to no difference in people's alcohol use and has only a small impact on their drinking-related attitudes. By and large, urbanization and gender are not influential variables in these relationships.