Chunk #43 — Explanations for Greater Negative Social Consequences of Alcohol Use among African Americans Compared to European Americans — Environmental Influences — Racial discrimination
Racial discrimination has also been identified as an important source of stress influencing health and psychological well-being (Kessler et al., 1999; Ren, Amick, & Williams, 1999; Williams & Mohammed, 2009; Williams, Neighbors, & Jackson, 2003; Williams, Yu, Jackson, & Anderson, 1997), including drinking problems among African Americans (Caetano et al., 1998; Caetano & Clark, 2000; Herd, 1994a; Gibbons et al., 2004; Gibbons et al., 2007; Gibbons et al., 2010; Jones-Webb, 1998; Jones-Webb, Hsiao, & Hannan., 1995; Kwate, Meyer, Eniola, & Dennis, 2010; Mulia et al., 2008; Taylor & Jackson, 1990; Yen, Ragland, Greiner, & Fissher, 1999). Martin and colleagues (2004) found that among employed African American men, those who reported high levels of economic distress and who perceived racial discrimination were significantly more likely to engage in stress related drinking and problem drinking behaviors. These studies suggest that although African Americans as a group drink less than European Americans, those African Americans who report more experiences of discrimination are at greater risk for problem drinking than are other African Americans.
