Reasons for Drinking, Alcohol Use, and Alcoholism Among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites

Estimated associations of subjective reasons for drinking with heavy drinking (HD), frequent drinking (FD), and alcohol abuse or dependence (AAOD). Respondents were 725 Mexican-American and 915 non-Hispanic White community residents who reported drinking at least once in the 6 mo before being interviewed. Each reason for drinking and number of reasons given for drinking were associated with HD, FD, or AAOD. However, multivariate models suggested that different reasons may be associated with different types of alcohol involvement. Cultural differences in alcohol involvement were typically not accounted for by cultural differences in reasons for drinking. Drinking to cheer up or to loosen up around people and drinking to induce sleep had different associations with HD and AAOD in different cultural groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)