title: Problem drinking's associations with social structure and mental health care: race/ethnicity differences.
abstract: This research used a nationally representative sample of 12,756 respondents self-identified as White, Black, Hispanic, or Asian to examine problem drinking in relationship to social structure and mental healthcare factors. Associations between problem drinking and particular factors varied by racial/ethnic group. Results also indicated that Whites' problem-drinking rates were higher than those of Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians. Americans sometimes use alcohol to manage stress stemming from social disadvantage and inadequate material resources. Across racial/ethnic groups, drinking level was associated with the type and degree of such disadvantage. Additionally, the presence of a mental health problem was associated with problem drinking.
authors: a Professor, Department of Sociology & Social Work , Texas Woman's University , Denton , TX.
authors: Celia C
authors: CC
authors: Lo
authors: Tyrone C
authors: TC
authors: Cheng
authors: Rebecca J
authors: RJ
authors: Howell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology
keywords: frequency of problem drinking; quantity of alcohol consumed; racial/ethnic differences; self-medication hypothesis; social stress theory