Can differences in cultural norms be measured as group differences in motives not to drink (Metrik, McCarthy, Frissell, MacPherson, & Brown, 2004)? Does the nature of motives not to drink differ between the two ethnic groups (Cooper et al., 2008)? Are there longer-term goals that are valued by African Americans that provide motives not to engage in heavy consumption, such as a motive to be faithful to one’s religious commitments? Are there other such goals? If cultural norms regarding alcohol among African Americans, perhaps expressed as motives not to drink, are more healthy than European American norms, can they be used to improve prevention programs for other groups? How might that occur? How does the current analysis inform efforts to understand alcohol-related behavior in other ethnic groups?
