title: The Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS): Acculturation, Birthplace and Alcohol-Related Social Problems Across Hispanic National Groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between acculturation, birthplace, and alcohol-related social problems across Hispanic national groups.  METHOD: 5,224 Hispanic adults (18+ years) were interviewed using a multistage cluster sample design in Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles.  RESULTS: Multivariate analysis shows no association between acculturation and problems among men or women. Birthplace is a risk factor for social problems among both genders. Among men, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and South/Central Americans are more likely to report social problems than Cuban Americans. Other risk factors for men are unemployment, a higher volume of drinking, and a higher frequency of binge drinking. Among women, Mexican American origin and binge drinking are also risk factors for reporting problems.  CONCLUSIONS: U.S.-born Hispanics may experience stress and other detrimental effects to health because of their minority status, which may increase the likelihood of more drinking and the development of alcohol-related problems.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas Regional Campus.
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.forename: Patrice A C
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vaeth
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez