title: The relative influence of selected social factors on Korean drinking behavior in Los Angeles.
abstract: The purpose of this study was twofold: to identify characteristics distinguishing Korean-American drinkers from abstainers and to clarify differences between those who drink smaller versus larger amounts of alcohol. A random sample of 280 Korean adults was interviewed using a schedule based on Cahalan's national study of drinking behavior and attitudes. Approximately 58% of the sample were abstainers while only about 14% were heavy drinkers. Logistic regression was used to determine the relative influence of various social factors on drinking behavior. The logistic model identified five characteristics which differentiated abstainers from drinkers: gender (male), college education, parental opposition, playing indoor games (e.g., cards) and going to bars, and/or nightclubs. A second logistic model clarified the influence of similar characteristics on the level of drinking. Males and those who went to bars and/or nightclubs were most apt to be heavy drinkers whereas participants in sports and Protestants were aligned with more moderate drinking.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lubben
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kitano
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors