NCJ Number
248858
Journal
Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2014 Pages: 285-293
Date Published
January 2014
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In order to identify any racial differences (White compared to Black) in type of alcoholic beverages consumed by youth, this study used repeated-measures latent class analysis to identify distinct profiles that represent change in type of alcoholic beverage consumed across ages 11 to 18 and to examine predictors (e.g., caretaker alcohol use, perceived peer alcohol use, ease in accessing alcohol, perceived neighborhood risk indicated by witnessing drug dealing), most of which were measured at ages 11 to 12, of alcohol use profiles in the Pittsburgh Girls Study (n = 2,171; 57 percent Black, 43 percent White), a community sample with annual follow-ups.
Abstract
Among Black girls, two profiles were identified: low-use (76 percent) and alcohol use involving primarily liquor starting around age 15 (24 percent). Among White girls, four profiles were identified: wine sippers (11 percent); a low-use profile with low probability of drinking until age 18, when use of beer and liquor increased (52 percent); an increasing-use profile with increased probability of drinking beer and liquor starting at age 15 (23 percent); and a high-alcohol-use profile, starting with use of wine, then shifting to use primarily of beer and liquor after age 13 (14 percent). Separate risk-factor analyses conducted by race indicated similar predictors for Black and White girls: perceived ease in accessing alcohol, witnessing neighborhood drug dealing, and perceived peer alcohol use were each associated with heavier drinking profiles. (Publisher abstract modified)