Aggregate-Level Predictors of the Prevalence of Selected Drinking Patterns in Multiple Studies: A Research Synthesis from the Collaborative Alcohol-Related Longitudinal Project

Abstract

This paper examines the prevalence of two “at-risk” alcohol drinking patterns (infrequent heavy drinking and frequent heavy drinking) within age/gender groups in multiple general population studies. When heterogeneity in findings across studies is found, we test the hypotheses that suicide, divorce, unemployment rates, and the per capita consumption of alcohol in each country are associated with the prevalence of these drinking patterns. These analyses should inform the literature on the relationships between societal factors and the prevalence of persons in different societies and periods in history that drink at these levels. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]

Key Words:

• Alcohol
• Cross-level analysis
• Aggregate data
• Societal stress
• Heavy drinking