Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Alcohol Problems: Mediation by Social Roles and Gender-Role Attitudes

Abstract

This study assesses the causal place of Traditional Gender Role Attitudes (TGRA) in models for men and women, which also include social roles by explanatory variables for alcohol use and alcohol problems. Mediation of gender differences by TGRA occurs mainly in abstinence. Interaction effect is weak for alcohol consumption and frequency of “heavy drinking.” The most important explanatory variables are the status factors age and education, which are mediated by TGRA in a small way. Specific aspects of alcohol-related problems are analyzed separately for the problem drinking category. Differences in results with other studies are discussed, and further study is proposed.

Key Words:

• Gender
• Status roles
• Gender-role attitudes
• Alcohol use
• Drinking problems