Hispanic/Latinx drinkers are more likely to experience adverse alcohol-related consequences and have less access to treatment services. Research indicates that discrimination has a unique effect on drinking behaviors. The Minority Stress Model depicts how discrimination places individuals at a heightened risk for adverse health outcomes. Emotion regulation and alcohol craving are also known to impact alcohol use. This study investigated the impact of perceived discrimination on emotional disturbance, alcohol craving, and alcohol use using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). The following were proposed: H1: Emotional disturbance will predict alcohol craving in the moment (Level 1). H2: The association between perceived discrimination and alcohol craving will be mediated by emotional disturbance (Level 1). H3: Emotional disturbance will predict alcohol use via alcohol craving at the day level (Level 2). H4: The association between perceived discrimination and alcohol use will be mediated by emotional disturbance and alcohol craving (Level 2). Hispanic/Latinx individuals (n = 77) were recruited through social media and completed six brief assessments per day for 14 days on their mobile phone. Data were analyzed using multilevel structural equation modeling. At the moment level, perceived discrimination was associated with emotional disturbance. Both perceived discrimination and emotional disturbance predicted alcohol craving. At the day level, perceived discrimination was positively associated with emotional disturbance, and emotional disturbance predicted alcohol craving and alcohol use. Indirect effects showed perceived discrimination to be related to alcohol craving and alcohol use. These results provide a nuanced understanding of the role both perceived discrimination and emotional disturbance play in alcohol pathology among Hispanic/Latinx drinkers.

A model of social stressor variables, social integration variables and demographic control variables was tested to assess their impact on alcohol use among the elderly. A secondary analysis of a survey on alcohol use among the elderly in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was conducted to test the major hypotheses of the study. Contingency table analysis, using gamma and partial gamma as correlation coefficients, was utilized in the data analysis. The first hypothesis, in regard to the positive relationship of social stressors with alcohol use, was confirmed. The best predictors of alcohol use among the social stressor variables were usual occupation, length of retirement, annual income, and subjective health status. The second hypothesis, that the social integration variables would be negatively related to alcohol use, received only moderate support. The results of the analysis indicated that six of the ten social integration variables were negatively related to alcohol use. Only three of these variables, retirement status, religious participation, and marital status, were statistically significant. Hypothesis three also was not confirmed. The introduction of the social integration variables did not substantially decrease the strength of the relationship between social stressors and alcohol use. Gender and age were also introduced as control variables for the relationship between social stressors and alcohol use. Age had only a limited impact on the zero-order relationships. Gender demonstrated a strong relationship with alcohol use. Statistical analyses indicated that gender was the strongest predictor of alcohol use of all the variables in the analysis. The nature of the zero-order relationships of four of the six stressor variables changed when gender was controlled, and the partial relationships decreased in strength. It was suggested that future research on alcohol use among the elderly should focus on gender differences.

Adolescent alcohol abuse increases across the adolescent years. If left unchecked, alcohol abuse can give rise to delinquency, poor grades, and risky sexual behavior (Stueve & O’Donnell, 2005; Ellickson, Tucker, & Klein, 2003). Past research suggests that minimal parental oversight increases the risk for adolescent alcohol abuse. There is also evidence, however, that parents withdraw from oversight in the face of adolescent problem behaviors (Barber & Olsen, 1997; Hafen & Laursen, 2009). Each may vary according to the child’s physical development. Parents may respond to pubertal maturation with reduced supervision and early maturing girls may be sensitive to parent supervision because of the additional pressures and attention they receive from older, possibly deviant, peers (Stattin, Kerr, & Skoog, 2011). / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Alcohol consumption, the third largest contributing risk factor towards global morbidity, has increased in the past 5 years despite global calls for action to reduce its significant impact on public health. Compared to most developed nations, Hong Kong has been shown to have lower levels of alcohol consumption by previously conducted research. However, Hong Kong’s low alcohol taxes, wide availability of alcohol, and lax restrictions on marketing practices have the potential to increase the prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking particularly among young adults 18-25 of age, lending them towards increased risks of neurological damage, unsafe sex, intentional and unintentional injuries, and impacts on school and work performance in addition to chronic health harms in the future. This thesis employs a mixed-methods approach to comprehensively examine the behavioral and environmental contexts of Chinese young adult drinking behavior, as well as to generate feasible, effective strategies at the health promotion and policy levels to reduce alcohol-related harm among this population subgroup. / Cantonese-speaking young adults of Hong Kong (n=684) were invited between April and September 2011 to participate in a cross-sectional random telephone survey, during which they were asked about their drinking patterns and perceptions on a set of alcohol expectancy statements. Twelve focus groups (n=63) were then conducted between June 2012 – May 2013 to explore individual motivations to drink as well as possible environmental and social facilitating factors. A series of interviews conducted in January – April 2014 with key policy stakeholders, including representatives of law enforcement, education, government, food and beverage sectors, non-governmental organizations, and the alcohol industry, (n=16) then aimed to produce appropriate, actionable policies and interventions which can be undertaken as a means to reduce alcohol-related harm among young adults in Hong Kong. / At the behavioural level, positive outcome expectancies were found to be significantly associated with various levels of alcohol use. Those who held social facilitation of drinking to a high regard were significantly more likely (OR=6.67; 95% CI: 2.87,15.49) to have had at least one binge drinking episode in the past month. Qualitative investigations also illustrated drinking among Hong Kong young adults as heavily focused on planned socializing and self-presentation in personal and business situations, and further enabled by the availability of local drinking games and granting and losing face, a Chinese cultural concept based on dignity with competitive undertones. Drinking occasions were also facilitated by the convenience of bars and lounges, viewed as accommodating alternatives to homes for social gatherings. Point-of sale promotions providing inexpensive or free drinks further strengthened alcohol use as a convenient and normal practice among young adults. / Instead of adopting strategies to limit access to alcohol as recommended by global alcohol experts, key policy stakeholders of alcohol issues in Hong Kong expressed preference for softer approaches such as health education campaigns to properly inform young adults about the physical harms of alcohol. For legislative actions, only those that aim to limit alcohol’s physical availability, restrictions on discounted drink specials, and bans on event-centric promotions were favored as viable options. / This series of studies marks the first attempt in alcohol research to comprehensively establish a profile of drinking behavior of Chinese young adults at individual, social, and environmental levels. Based on these findings, a deeper understanding of the previously unexplored cultural context of Chinese drinking, particularly those involving face-based interactions and business situations, is warranted in future behavioral research on alcohol use among this ethnic subgroup. Health campaigns and community interventions challenging the perceives social benefits of drinking among young adults may be useful at the community level in reducing alcohol-relates harms among Chinese youth, but further research is required to ascertain their actual effectiveness in Hong Kong. The government-endorsed Liquor Licensing Board may also expand its current role in limiting the physical availability of alcohol in Hong Kong by imposing a licensing system on outlets that sell alcohol for consumption outside of their premises (off-premise sales), and restricting point-of-sale promotions of alcoholic beverages at licensed venues. / 飲酒為全球發病率的第三大危險因素。儘管酒精危害對公共衛生的影響何其嚴重，世界在過去五年飲酒量始終持續上升的趨勢。傳統來說，香港飲酒的份量與大多數發達國家相對較低。然而，香港針對酒類飲品的價格、供應、和營銷的限制極為寬鬆，這種情況有機會增加18-25歲青少年飲酒和暴飲的流行性，神經損傷、不安全性行為、和蓄意及非蓄意的傷害的風險亦有機會因此增加，在學校和工作表現也會受到影響。有見及此，本論文內描述的研究旨在採取混合研究方式，分析青少年飲酒行為的個人和環境因素，導出在健康促進和政策層面內可行、有效的措施，從而減少香港青少年酒精相關危害。 / 本研究首先採用電話問卷方式於2011年四月至九月之間對本地青少年作一項橫斷式調查(n=684)，主要調查他們的酒精使用頻率以及對使用效果的期望。此外亦於2012年六月至2013年九月之間經十二組的焦點團體訪談(n=63)探討青少年使用酒精飲品的個人動機，以及任何社會或環境層面的促進因素和影響。最後是項研究於2014年一月至四月之間進行一系列的採訪(n=16)，了解相應持份者對在香港實施減少青少年酒精相關危害的社區或政策行動的可行性與預期影響。。 / 在行為層面上，飲酒正向使用效果的期望與各級酒精頻率顯著相關。對酒精在社交帶來的正面效果抱著頗高期望的人士更有較大機會於一個月內有暴飲的情況(OR = 6.67; 95% CI: 2.87,15.49)。質性調查亦顯示，香港青少年飲酒行為很大程度上圍繞於酒精在社交場面上的表現和自我映照所需的正面影響，並透過本地式飲酒遊戲和面子的基礎上進一步引生出競爭式暴飲行為。飲酒場合（例如酒吧及類似的休憩場所）的方便及舒適程度，更令他們取代住所成為社交聯歡的主要地點。酒精飲品的特惠和特別促銷活動亦經常提供廉價或免費的飲料，進一步加強了酒精使用於青少年群組當中成為一種方便及正常行為。 / 相對於國際酒精使用研究專家提出的適當策略來限制人們和酒精的接觸，相應持份者傾向採取較柔和的應對方法，例如健康教育活動以正確地告知青少年酒精對身體的危害。使用法律手法當中，只有管制酒精供應和禁止特惠及特別促銷活動是被看好為本地可行的選擇。 / 這一系列的研究代表了學術界中首次在個人、社會、和環境層面上探究中國的年輕人飲酒行為。根據是項研究的結果，未來中國人飲酒行為的研究可針對未曾探索的文化背景作更深層的了解，特別是涉及面子和為工作而需應酬的飲酒場合。針對青年人認為飲酒的社交效果的健康及社區教育計劃也可能是有效的干預方向，但仍需作進一步研究以確定在香港的有效性。政府認可的酒牌局也能擴大現有的管制系統來限制零售店舖的酒精供應，以及任何售酒處所的銷售方式。本論文亦基於研究結果對未來行為的研究、健康促進的實踐、和政策發展的影響作進一步的討論。 / Wong, Ho Cheuk Alvin. / Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-230). / Abstracts and appendixes also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 18, October, 2016). / Wong, Ho Cheuk Alvin. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

The way in which adolescents perceive themselves and interact with peers, teachers and caregivers could determine whether they would drink alcohol and smoke dagga or not. Without positive self-concept amongst adolescents and experiencing of positive communication with caregivers, it can be said, there is a likelihood of drinking alcohol and smoking of dagga by adolescents. A 52-item questionnaire was constructed on the basis of current international and South African research on the adolescents who drink alcohol and smoke dagga. The biographical data was used as independent variables in the questionnaire. These independent variables included questions on age, gender, grade and the person who takes care of adolescent. The questionnaire was completed by 443 adolescents in grade 9 and 11 from one secondary school in Soweto. Of this total, 48,1% were males (N=213) and 51,9% were females (N=230). A factor analysis of the questionnaire revealed two statistically significant constructs and they were termed “Experience of locus of control with respect to school” (Chronbach alpha of 0.900) and “Experience of communication with caregivers by adolescents (0.892). With respect to the bivariate analysis of the relationships between (1)the gender of adolescents (2)the age of adolescents and who is the caregiver to the adolescent and the (1)drinking of alcohol and the (2)smoking of dagga, the following was found: • adolescents who lived with stepparents are more inclined to drink alcohol than adolescents who lived with both mother and father, single parents and other. • a significantly higher proportion of males drink alcohol man females who drink alcohol. • a significantly higher proportion of older adolescents (17 years, 18 years and older) drink alcohol than younger adolescents (16 years, 15 years and younger). The impact of this research would indicate that adolescents with negative self-concept about themselves display a significantly greater inclination towards drinking alcohol and smoking of dagga. Also, adolescents who live with stepparents display a significantly more negative experience of drinking alcohol and smoking of dagga than adolescents who live with both mother and father, single parents and other. / Prof. C.P.H Myburgh

Problem alcohol use has far-reaching economic, intra-, and interpersonal consequences. One particularly hazardous form of drinking pertains to the consumption of alcohol as a means of regulating stress, or drinking to cope. As such, it is critical to identify pathways through which stress-related alcohol use occurs, as well as protective factors which may mitigate the aforementioned consequences. To achieve this, I conducted three studies examining these topics at multiple levels of analysis among two at risk populations for engaging in problematic drinking: College students and military service members. Study 1 is a published manuscript examining the association between personality, a known vulnerability factor, and daily alcohol use among college students. This study tested whether these associations were mediated by the utilization of daily coping behaviors. Study 2 is an exploration of the association between of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and alcohol involvement among employed service members. I conducted conditional process analysis to determine whether the indirect association of PTSS on alcohol involvement through coping motivations was conditional on one's perceived level of social support. Finally, Study 3 examined how daily experiences of occupational stressors influence alcohol consumption using a subsample of married and cohabiting participants from Study 2. I tested the moderating roles of coping motives and more adaptive, support-based coping strategies on work stress-daily drinking associations. Together, these studies help elucidate why individuals typically drink when stressed, who may be more apt to do so, and under what conditions these effects hold true.

No description available.

Alcohol use is the single most alarming behavior among youth in the United States. Adolescents especially are at risk for increases in heavy episodic drinking and drunkenness leading to alcohol-related problems such as academic failure, interpersonal violence, risky sexual behavior and death. In an effort to address this endemic issue, a number of alcohol use prevention programs have been developed and are currently implemented in the high school setting. Many of these programs, however, lack an empirical basis and have been unable to demonstrate significant reductions in alcohol use over time. The need for the development and dissemination of effective strategies to address adolescent drinking is evident. Recommendations for newly developing approaches encourage an emphasis on empiricallybased content and easily implemented protocols. Expectancy challenge-based interventions have been identified by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as having strong evidence supporting their effectiveness in reducing alcohol use among college students. Recent efforts to translate such programs into forms effective with high school adolescents have been met with mixed results. The focus of the present study was to modify, implement and evaluate the Expectancy Challenge Alcohol Literacy Curriculum (ECALC), a program currently validated for use with college populations, for high school adolescents. The single session, high school version of the ECALC was infused into the existing Health Education high school curriculum and implemented with those in the 9th through 12th grades. Measures of alcohol expectancies and alcohol use were completed anonymously by each participant before delivery of the program and for 30 days thereafter. Impact of the ECALC was compared to classes randomly assigned to an attention-matched control condition. Findings revealed significant changes in alcohol expectancies and alcohol use reported by participants in the 11th and 12th grades following iv delivery of the ECALC. Changes were found across factor analytic and multidimensional scaling (MDS) statistical methods applied to the expectancy measure, as well as across measures of estimated intoxication and drinking quantity/frequency. Findings were consistent among both male and female participants. Reductions in alcohol use were not found among 9th and 10th grade participants, and expectancy changes were inconsistent. The assessment periods for baseline and follow-up were thirty days, which may reflect a limitation in that a longer follow-up may be more likely to capture significant behavioral changes over time. This study was the first to apply both factor analytic and MDS methods to analysis of the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol questionnaire, with clear implications for expectancy measurement techniques likely to be most appropriate for capturing changes in expectancy activation patterns over time. Overall, this study represents an important advance in the development of an empirically-based and validated alcohol use prevention program effective for use with adolescents. In addition, the ECALC serves as a prevention program that is easily implemented in the high school setting, requiring only 50 minutes of class time, a classroom, and a motivated educator.

No description available.

The purpose of the current studies was to look at the importance of contextual and individual difference factors, as well as sex differences, on the expected effects of alcohol. The vulnerability and gender role violation hypotheses were examined as explanations for previous findings of sex differences in anxiety responses to alcohol consumption within heterosexual social situations. In the first study, the contextual variables of sex of the target being rated and sex of target’s companion as well as the factors of sex of subject and beverage consumed were examined to clarify the role of anxiety related to the presence of opposite sex companions and anxiety. The factors of sex of companion, sex of target, and beverage were manipulated within a vignette format. Subjects were asked to read the vignette and to answer questions about the main character in the vignette. There were significant beverage by sex of subject interactions indicating that male subjects expected alcohol to reduce impairment and increase social appeal relative to female subjects who tended to expect that consuming alcohol would decrease social appeal and increase impairment. In addition, male subjects expected alcohol to decrease anxiety and increase social skill while female subjects did not expect such an increase and, instead, expected a decrease in social skill in male targets drinking alcohol and no effect on anxiety. These findings did not support either the hypothesis of vulnerability or of gender role violation as explanations of sex differences in alcohol expectancies. Based on the findings of the first study, the goals of the second study were to tease apart possible relationships that individual differences in gender role, sexual description of target and additional motivation to impress the companion could have with feelings of anxiety and other alcohol expectancies in a situation in which both alcohol and being with an opposite sex companion are involved. This was done within a vignette format. Described target sexuality, motivation to impress, and discomfort with behaviors outside the traditional feminine gender role were not found to moderate alcohol expectancies. Interpretation of the results in relation to the vulnerability and gender role violation hypotheses and directions for future research are discussed. / Master of Science