NCJ Number
137633
Date Published
1990
Length
196 pages
Annotation
The relationship between aggregate alcohol consumption and violent crime is studied through a time series analysis of the effects of variation in per capita consumption of alcohol in Sweden on violence rates over time.
Abstract
During the study period, 1870-1984, significant alcohol effects were found for homicide and assault rates in Sweden. Occasional drinking was connected to less serious forms of violence, while heavy drinking was connected to more serious forms of violence. The results also found that public drinking has a stronger impact on assault rates than does private drinking. As a result, assault rates in Sweden have increased since 1977 despite a drop in per capita alcohol consumption. The study compares alcohol effects between Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries and between Sweden and France. Significant alcohol effects were found in each of these countries except for Denmark. The findings are relevant from theoretical, research, and historical perspectives. In addition, the findings establish the significance of another form of alcohol damage, they should influence criminal policy, and they highlight the meaning of criminality and explanatory factors underlying the increase in violent crime. 2 appendixes