Search

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between acculturation, birthplace, and alcohol-related social problems across Hispanic national groups. A total of 5,224 Hispanic adults (18+ years) were interviewed using a multistage cluster sample design in Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. 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. 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. (Contains 3 tables.)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol-related problems across four Hispanic national groups: Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and South/Central Americans. Method: Using a multistage cluster sample design, 5,224 individuals ages 18 years and older were selected from the household population of five U.S. metropolitan areas: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. Results: Cuban Americans had the lowest prevalence of alcohol-related problems. Significant differences across national group for zero versus two or more problems and for one versus two or more problems existed among men. Puerto Rican women were most likely to report two or more problems. The presence of zero versus two or more problems varied significantly across groups. There was variation in problem type across national groups among both men and women. Regression analyses showed that all groups were more likely than Cuban Americans to report two or more problems (vs zero) (Puerto Ricans: odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, p < .05; Mexican Americans: OR 2.92, p [less than or equal to] .01; South/Central Americans: OR = 2.12, p [less than or equal to] .01). Being U.S. born (vs foreign born) increased the likelihood of experiencing one (OR = 1.57, p < .05) and two or more problems (OR = 1.95, p [less than or equal to] .01). The volume of consumption was associated with problems (one problem: OR 1.16, p [less than or equal to] .01; two or more problems: OR = 1.31, p [less than or equal to] .01). Heavy episodic drinking less than once a month was associated with two or more problems (OR = 6.15, p [less than or equal to] .01). Heavy episodic drinking one or more times a month was associated with one problem (OR = 1.74, p [less than or equal to] .01) and two or more problems (OR = 3.18, p [less than or equal to] .01). Conclusions: It is important to recognize that Hispanics are not a homogenous group. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 70: 991-999, 2009), STUDIES OF DRINKING-RELATED PROBLEMS in the general population have shown that the prevalence of problems is, in general, lower among Hispanics than non-Hispanics for both men and women (Caetano, 1997; [...]

Objective: The primary purpose of this article is to report 12-month prevalence rates and predictors of alcohol abuse and dependence among Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, and South/Central Americans living in the United States. Method: Using a multistage cluster sample design, a total of 5,224 individuals 18 years of age and older were selected from the household population in five metropolitan areas of the United States: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. The survey weighted response rate was 76%. Personal interviews lasting an average of 1 hour were conducted in respondents' homes either in English or Spanish. Results: There is considerable heterogeneity in rates of abuse and dependence across these national groups, with Mexican American and Puerto Rican men having higher rates than Cuban American and South/Central American men. The rates of dependence for Mexican American and Puerto Rican men are also higher than those for men in the U.S. general population. Further, although the highest rates of abuse and dependence are among those in their 20s, the rate decline with age is not as strong as in the U.S. population. Thus, Hispanics at older ages (40-49, 50-59) are at considerably more risk of dependence and its health consequences than the U.S. general population. This is particularly true of Puerto Rican and Mexican American men. Conclusions: Future analysis must take this heterogeneity into consideration by conducting national group-specific analysis. Prevention efforts must also be guided by these findings, which suggest that Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans are at higher risk for abuse, dependence, and the associated consequences than the other two groups of U.S. Hispanics., HISPANICS CONSTITUTED 12.5% of the United States population in the 2000 Census (Bureau of the Census, 2001). A recent update indicates that Hispanics already compose 14.4% of the population (Bureau [...]

Objective: This article examines the association between birthplace, acculturation, and self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), 12-month and lifetime DUI arrest rates among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and South/Central Americans in the U.S. population. Method: Using a multistage cluster sample design, 5,224 adults (18 years of age or older) were interviewed from households in five metropolitan areas of the United States: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. Results: Birthplace was not associated with DUI, 12-month DUI arrest rates, or lifetime DUI arrest rates. Mexican Americans in the medium- and high-acculturation groups were more likely to engage in DUI. A higher pro portion of U.S.-born than foreign-born respondents as well as those in the high-acculturation group, irrespective of national origin, reported having been stopped by police when driving. U.S.-born Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, and South/Central Americans thought they could consume a higher mean number of drinks before their driving is impaired compared with those who are foreign born. Conclusions: There are considerable differences in DUI-related behavior across Hispanic national groups. U.S.-born Hispanics and those born abroad, but not those at different levels of acculturation, have equal risk of involvement with DUI. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 69: 259-265, 2008), DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL (DUI) is a major public health problem in the United States. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities were about 40% of all traffic fatalities in 1999 and [...]