Racial/ethnic differences in prevalence and correlates of binge drinking among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines how the prevalence and correlates of binge drinking among older adults vary by race/ethnicity.


METHODS
Drawn from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey, adults aged 60 and older (n = 18,772) were selected. Binge drinking was measured dichotomously based on whether individuals reported consuming five or more drinks in a single day (four or more for females) in the previous year. Prevalence rates for binge drinking in the past year were calculated by race/ethnicity. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted using binge drinking in the past year as the dependent variable.


RESULTS
Significant racial/ethnic differences were found in prevalence rates: the presence of binge drinking was most common among non-Hispanic Whites (11.9%), followed by Latinos (10.8%), American Indian/Alaska Natives (9.8%), Blacks (8.0%), and Asians (4.2%). Being a current smoker was found to be the strongest predictor of binge drinking and significant main effects were also found for being Black, being Asian, younger age, being male, being unemployed, having a higher poverty threshold, having better self-rated health, and having more psychological distress. Significant interactions between race/ethnicity and age, sex, employment status, educational attainment, smoking status, and self-rated health were found. These findings indicate that certain correlates of binge drinking vary significantly by race/ethnicity among older adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Apparent racial/ethnic differences existed in the prevalence and correlates of binge drinking among older adults. Identification of more racial/ethnic specific predictors may be important for the development of racial/ethnic appropriate intervention programs.
Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. Anbryant1@crimson.ua.edu
Ami N
AN
Bryant
Giyeon
G
Kim
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000431:Ethanol