R. Caetano, PREVALENCE, INCIDENCE AND STABILITY OF DRINKING PROBLEMS AMONG WHITES, BLACKS AND HISPANICS - 1984-1992, Journal of studies on alcohol, 58(6), 1997, pp. 565-572
Objective: This article reports on the prevalence, incidence and stabi
lity of dependence-related problems and social consequences from drink
ing among whites, blacks and Hispanics between 1984 and 1992. Method:
A probability sample of 1,777 whites, 1,947 blacks and 1,453 Hispanics
from the U.S. adult household population was interviewed in 1984. In
1992 a subsample consisting of 788 whites, 723 blacks and 703 Hispanic
s was reinterviewed. Interviews averaging 1 hour in length were conduc
ted in respondents' homes by trained interviewers. Results: The preval
ence of a number of alcohol-related problems, the stability and incide
nce of dependence-related problems and the incidence of social consequ
ences from drinking are higher among Hispanic than among white men. De
pendence-related problems are more stable among black than among white
men. Among women, the incidence of dependence-related problems and so
cial consequences from drinking is higher among blacks than whites. Hi
spanic women have a higher incidence of social consequences from drink
ing than white women. Having a problem at Time 1 correlates only moder
ately with having a problem at Time 2, independent of ethnicity. Concl
usions: In general, Hispanics and blacks continue to be more at risk t
han whites for developing a number of alcohol-related problems. These
two ethnic groups should be the focus of renewed efforts to address al
cohol problems and inequalities in income distribution, employment, ed
ucation and lack of access to adequate healthcare.