On a related note, cultural differences in meaning may produce social variation in health habits. Schnittker & McLeod (2005) argue that racial/ethnic identity may be linked to the meanings of food and alcohol consumption in ways that influence engagement in these practices. Meaning is also central to stress models in that an appraisal of a stressor shapes the extent to which it causes distress (Thoits 1995). Variation in views about appropriate stress responses may also shape health habits. For example, Courtenay (2000) argues that cultural images of masculinity make men more likely than women to respond to stress with heavy drinking and other risky behaviors.
