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Alcohol A buse and D ependence A mong U . S .– M exico B order and Non‐Border M exican A mericans
Author(s) -
Caetano Raul,
Vaeth Patrice A. C.,
A. Mills Britain,
Rodriguez Lori A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.12061
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Background This paper examines the prevalence, the symptom profile, and the drinking and sociodemographic predictors of current (past 12 months) DSM ‐ IV alcohol abuse and dependence among M exican A mericans living along the U . S .– M exico border and those living in metropolitan areas away from the border. Methods Respondents in the non‐border areas (primarily H ouston and L os A ngeles) constitute a multistage probability sample ( N = 1,288) of these areas, interviewed as part of the 2006 H ispanic A mericans B aseline A lcohol S urvey ( HABLAS ). Respondents in the border area ( N = 1,307) constitute a household probability sample of M exican A mericans living on the border. In both surveys, data were collected during computer‐assisted interviews conducted in respondents' homes. The HABLAS and the border sample response rates were 76 and 67%, respectively. Results Although bivariate analyses revealed no overall differences between border and non‐border locations, (negative) age trends were more pronounced on the border for male abuse and for dependence among both genders. Among females aged 18 to 29, border residence was linked to significantly higher rates of dependence. In multivariable analyses, the prevalence of male abuse declined more rapidly with age on the border than off the border. Other unique predictors of male abuse were J ewish/other religion and weekly volume of alcohol consumption. Being married or out of the workforce, attaining a higher education, having no religious preference, and weekly volume uniquely predicted female dependence. Age and weekly volume uniquely predicted male dependence. Conclusions The prevalence of alcohol use disorders among M exican A mericans on and off the U . S .– M exico border largely mirrors previously documented patterns of alcohol consumption in these areas. For young M exican A merican women in particular, border residence is linked to heightened vulnerability to alcohol dependence.