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Patterns and Practices of Alcohol Use among Mexican Americans: A Comprehensive Review

Richard C. Cervantes

University of California, Los Angeles

While there has been a growing concern with alcohol-related problems among Mexican Americans and an increase in research devoted to learning more about alcohol use in this population, data on these issues are widely scattered. Differences in perspectives on alcohol-related issues and variation in research methodologies have produced a body of information which must be viewed as a whole before distinct patterns can be clearly seen. These circumstances have made it difficult to apply research findings in the design of programs that would be relevant and useful to Mexican Americans suffering problems related to alcohol. Using a framework based on the foci of ethnic alcohol studies in the United States, this review provides information on modal patterns of alcohol use in Mexico, and on the prevalence and level of alcohol use among Mexican Americans. Factors affecting intra-ethnic variation in Mexican American alcohol practices, such as region, gender, age, acculturation and social class are documented. The prevalence and incidence of social and medical problems associated with excessive alcohol use in this population are summarized. Consideration is given to the role of acculturation stress in the etiology of alcohol abuse among Mexican Americans. Conceptual and methodological problems in past research are critically assessed, discontinuities in the literature identified, and areas in particular need of research are delineated.

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