Research shows that drinking patterns among Hispanics are different from those of nonHispanic Whites and other ethnic or racial groups. Understanding these differences can help prevention, intervention, and treatment programs better serve the Hispanic community.
How Much do Hispanics Drink?
Overall, Hispanics are less likely to drink at all than are nonHispanic Whites. In fact, Hispanics have high rates of abstinence from alcohol. But Hispanics who choose to drink are more likely to consume higher volumes of alcohol than non-Hispanic Whites.
Factors Predicting Hispanic Drinking Behavior
When looking at acculturation, gender and attitudes you can see some key factors predicting drinking behavior amongst Hispanics.
As acculturation levels increase, so can alcohol consumption. The evidence is clear that as women become acculturated to American life, they tend to drink more alcohol. As far as gender is concerned, women typically do not drink alcohol out side of family gatherings but young Hispanic women drink as much or even more than their male counterparts. As far as attitudinally Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans tend to have more relaxed attitudes about drinking than Cuban Americans.
Drinking Trends by Country of Origin
Trends in drinking among Hispanics vary by country of origin. Among men Puerto Ricans tend to drink the most and Cubans the least. Among women Puerto Ricans tend to drink the most and Mexicans the least.
Across all Hispanic national groups, beer is the preferred beverage, followed by wind and then liquor.
