title: Risk factors of alcoholism among Taiwan aborigines: implications for etiological models and the nosology of alcoholism.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore possible risk factors of alcohol abuse (AA) and dependence (AD), as defined by DSM-III criteria, in Taiwan aborigines. The risk factors in a sample of 1555 Taiwan aborigines were analyzed by using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression statistics. The logistic regression showed that the risk factors of AD are being male, having relatively little education, being involved in a problem marriage, being a laborer, being part of a couple with a drinking problem, and having a positive family history of alcoholism. AA has the risk factors of ethnic subgroups dwelling in the main Taiwan Island, male, poor education, working people, and a drinking problem for the couple. Etiological models are proposed as social origins for AA, with interactional model for AD, in this aboriginal sample. Data on Chinese alcoholism is discussed, and a generalized hypothesis constructed that, for the same phenotypical subtype of alcoholism in different ethnic groups, the etiological models are different.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Hwu
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D044469:Racial Groups; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan