Disparities in drinking patterns and risks among ethnic majority and minority groups in China: The roles of acculturation, religion, family and friends. (1st February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Jianhui; Assanangkornchai, Sawitri; Cai, Le; McNeil, Edward
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 159(2016)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2016-02-01
• Subjects: Risky drinking -- Ethnic groups -- Acculturation -- Religion -- Social drinking environment; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.12.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Drinking patterns were different across ethnic groups. Risky drinking was associated with gender and aboriginal culture enculturation. Mainstream culture acculturation and religiosity affected drinking indirectly. Family and friend drinking environment affected risky drinking pattern directly. Abstract: Objective: Studies investigating alcohol consumption related factors have rarely focused on the relationship between acculturation, religion and drinking patterns. The objective of this study is to explore the predictors of drinking patterns and their mutual relationships, especially acculturation, ethnicity and religion. Methods: A cross-sectional household survey using a multistage systematic sampling technique was conducted in Yunnan Province of China. A revised Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) Chinese version were used to measure acculturation and drinking patterns. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the structures of how predictors affect drinking patterns. Results: A total of 977 subjects aged 12–35 years were surveyed. A higher percentage of binge drinking was found among Lisu people. However, the proportion of drinking until intoxication was highest among Han. Gender and enculturation had both direct (standardized β = −0.193, −0.079) and indirect effects (standardized β = −0.126, 0.033) on risky drinking pattern; perceived risk of alcohol consumption (−0.065), family drinking environment (0.061), and friend drinking environment (0.352) affected risky drinking pattern directly, while education level (0.066), ethnicity (−0.038), acculturation (0.012), religious belief (−0.038), and age group (0.088) had indirect effects. Conclusion: Risky drinking pattern was associated with gender and aboriginal culture enculturation both directly and indirectly, and related to mainstream culture acculturation and religious belief indirectly. Other demographic (such as education level) and social family factors (friend drinking environment for example) also had effects on risky drinking pattern.