An Analysis of Alcohol-Related Problems in Black and White Women Drinkers

Abstract

This study examined prevalence rates and predictors of alcohol-related problems in samples of 635 black and 665 white women drinkers. The analysis showed that although black and white women exhibited very similar rates of alcohol-related problems, heavier drinking and drunkenness, they differed significantly on most social characteristics and in normative attitudes towards alcohol use.

A series of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that black women were significantly less likely to experience alcohol related problems when drinking behavior, norms and social characteristics were taken into account. Further analysis showed that there was also a significant and negative interaction with race and the frequency of heavier drinking. This finding indicated that increases in heavier drinking were less likely to result in negative consequences among black women than among white women.

These results differ from the findings of previous research showing that black women experience higher rates of alcohol-related problems than white women. Further research is needed to assess the impact of race and gender differences in lifestyle and drinking comportment that may affect the risk of incurring alcohol problems.

Key Words:

• drinking problems
• drinking patterns
• racial differences
• drinking norms
• predictors of drinking problems