Acculturation and alcohol consumption in the Mexican American population of the southwestern United States: findings from HHANES 1982-84.

Data from the Southwestern sample of the Hispanic HANES are employed to evaluate the relationship of acculturation into the larger society with alcohol consumption. As in previous work, acculturation was not found to be related to alcohol consumption of Mexican American men, but was positively related to the consumption of younger Mexican American women. Among middle-aged women, acculturation was not important. However, we found evidence that middle-aged women might be turning to alcohol in response to marital disruption and poverty. In addition, middle-aged women who are not employed are less frequent drinkers but those who drink are heavier drinkers than employed women.