Chunk #40 — Explanations for Greater Negative Social Consequences of Alcohol Use among African Americans Compared to European Americans — Environmental Influences
Data appear to support this view. For instance, Jones-Webb and colleagues (1997b) reported that among drinkers, although increased alcohol consumption is associated with increased negative drinking consequences (e.g., financial, health, family, work, legal problems or alcohol dependence symptoms) for European American men, there is no relationship for African American men; regardless of amount consumed, African American men are more likely to experience negative consequences for use. Moreover, Herd (1994) reported that African American men were more likely to report negative drinking consequences (e.g., dependence symptoms, problems with friends, and problems with relatives), even after accounting for drinking behavior, socioeconomic status and other social variables. It has also been observed that African Americans are more likely to be arrested for being intoxicated than European Americans regardless of the amount of alcohol consumed (Brown & Frank, 2006; Park, 1983 cited in Herd, 1994a; Neuspiel, 1996). The observation of differential treatment towards drinking based on the race of the drinker is not a new one. In 1981, Benjamin and Benjamin stated: “moderate drinking may be tolerated if the drinker is White. A boss,
