RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS AND DRINKING PROBLEMS AMONG BLACK-AND-WHITE MEN

We sought to examine the relationships between socioeconomic status an d drinking problems within the Black and White male populations. A two -way interaction of social class with race/ethnicity, and with drinkin g consequences and alcohol dependence symptoms was hypothesized among drinkers. Drinking problems were regressed on social class, race/ethni city, age, alcohol consumption, and drinking settings. Social class wa s based on a composite of respondent's income, education, and main wag e earner's occupation. Two types of drinking problems were analyzed: d rinking consequences and alcohol dependence symptoms. Our hypothesis w as partially confirmed. Interactions of social class with race/ethnici ty and with drinking problems were observed. Less affluent Black men r eported greater numbers of drinking consequences and total drinking pr oblems than less affluent White men; the reverse was true for affluent Black and White men. Results suggest that the relationships between s ocioeconomic status and drinking problems may vary by race/ethnicity.