Social status, gender and alcohol-related problems: the black young adult experience.

OBJECTIVES Using data from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, this study examined prevalence of drinking and related problems among five racial/ethnic groups aged 18-30. DESIGN Logistic regression analyses examined influences of gender and social status on alcohol-related problems among blacks, controlling for demographics. RESULTS Black drinkers were significantly less likely to be high-risk or risky/heavy episodic drinkers than all groups except Asians; and experienced lower prevalence of alcohol-related problems than whites and American Indians. Controlling for drinking, prevalence of alcohol-related problems among blacks was similar to other groups, except native Americans. Analyses of blacks revealed males, unemployed, and heaviest drinkers had highest prevalence of problems. Strong associations between drinking and problems remained consistent across black sub-groups defined by social status and gender. CONCLUSION While blacks are not as engaged in risky/heavy drinking, they are not shielded from problems conditional on drinking patterns. Focus on alcohol-related problems among black males and unemployed is indicated.