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Offsetting the effects of neighborhood disadvantage on problem drinking
Author(s) -
KarrikerJaffe Katherine J.,
Au Vanessa,
Frendo Marylou,
Mericle Amy A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.21881
Subject(s) - disadvantaged , disadvantage , residence , odds , environmental health , baseline (sea) , indigenous , psychology , demography , gerontology , medicine , logistic regression , sociology , economic growth , political science , economics , ecology , law , biology
Abstract Residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods can amplify individual risk for adverse health conditions, including substance use disorders. Using data from a probability sample of problem drinkers in Northern California (N = 616) interviewed at baseline and reinterviewed 1 year later, this study examines whether social support can buffer negative effects of neighborhood disadvantage on problem drinking. Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood increased the likelihood of problem drinking at follow‐up (odds ratio = 2.33, p = 0.015). Although baseline support for reducing drinking was unrelated to problem drinking at follow‐up, there was a significant interaction between neighborhood disadvantage and support. Among those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, baseline support significantly decreased the likelihood of problem drinking at follow‐up (OR = 0.19, p = 0.048). Bolstering indigenous community resources where residents can interact with others in recovery or that foster sober activities may offset individual risk. Research is needed to determine whether this may also produce second‐order neighborhood change.