Objective: According to reference group theory, where one drinks influences drinking patterns and norms. However, few population-based studies have explored situational contexts of drinking, their correlates, and effects. This study investigates (1) whether the context of alcohol consumption is associated with distinctive drinking norms, particularly hazardous drinking, and (2) how this association might vary, over time, by gender and ethnicity. Methods: We used 1984 and 1995 U.S. National Alcohol Surveys (N=3,400 and 2,824 drinkers), conducting analyses separately by gender and ethnicity. To measure average volume of alcohol consumed in six different settings – restaurants, bars, a quiet evening at home, a party at another’s home, having friends over, and hanging around public places with friends – we used measures of frequency of being in each context, proportion of time drinking there, and usual amount consumed in each setting. Results: Preliminary results suggest that 1) drinking patterns vary by drinking context; 2) gender and ethnicity are associated with the likelihood of both drinking and drinking hazardously in a particular location; and 3) with certain exceptions, drinking is increasingly a private, rather than a public, activity. By 1995, men’s hazardous drinking had moved from the bar into the home, women’s preferred location for hazardous drinking in both years. Yet important ethnic differences remained: for white men, the bar remained the site associated with the highest levels of drinking. Conclusion: Understanding the relationship between the social environment and consumption patterns will help policymakers target those sites which pose the greatest risks for particular groups.
Learning Objectives: Particpants in this session will be able to identify which drinking locations are currently associated with a greater likelihood of hazardous drinking for specific gender/ethnic groups.
Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Alcohol Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.