Binge Drinking Among Male Mexican Immigrants in Rural North Carolina

Abstract

While it is clear that alcohol use among immigrants from Mexico has serious consequences, limited data exist on the correlates of this behavior for Mexican immigrants residing in rural, traditionally non-Hispanic settings. A cross-sectional survey with an outreach approach was used to target 173 male Mexican immigrants in rural eastern North Carolina. Questionnaires including demographics, pre and post immigration alcohol use, acculturation, stress, social support, and depressive symptoms were administered through oral interview by trained bilingual interpreters. Results show a higher prevalence of binge drinking in the study sample compared to rate of alcohol use by Hispanics in the United States. Relationships were identified between Pre-immigration alcohol use, lower perceived social support, socialization within one's own cultural group, and binge drinking. These findings provide a preliminary basis in the development of interventions to address the problem of binge drinking in this population. Further exploration of the interaction between social isolation and social support is also needed.

Predictors of Heavy Episodic Drinking and Weekly Drunkenness Among Immigrant Latinos in North Carolina

“…In a separate Latino sample taken in North Carolina of Latino men who have sex with men, the TWD prevalence was 17.4% and the HED was 30.0% (Rhodes et al, 2012), both lower than observed in this analysis. In a small cross-sectional survey of North Carolina Latino men, 48% of the sample reported binge drinking, which is closer to the 53% observed in this study (Loury et al, 2011). In multivariable modeling, TWD was associated with affiliation with a religion/denomination that does not have a prohibition against drinking alcohol.…”

“…However, among Latinos, little research has been conducted on the role of stress in predicting drinking behavior. The Hispanic American Baseline Alcohol Study (HABLAS) identified a link between increased discriminative stress and increased drinking (Vaeth et al, 2012), and Loury, Jesse, and Wu (2011) found that Mexican immigrant men who reported HED also reported lower levels of perceived social support. However, the perception of discrimination tends to differ by immigrant generation; first-generation Latinos tend to perceive less discrimination than do second-generation Latinos (Viruell-Fuentes & Schulz, 2009; Viruell-Fuentes, 2007).…”

Social Stressors and Alcohol Use Among Immigrant Sexual and Gender Minority Latinos in a Nontraditional Settlement State

“…In contrast, recent studies of immigrant Latino men in North Carolina found that non-drinkers accounted for only 26% and 37% of participants (Grzywacz et al, 2007; Loury et al, 2011). As those studies presumed heterosexuality (i.e., did not assess sexual orientation), their findings may not be directly comparable to our sample.…”

“…Recent research in North Carolina found high levels of binge drinking among Latino men (Grzywacz, Quandt, Isom, & Arcury, 2007; Kim-Godwin & Fox, 2009), which was associated with Spanish language use and inversely associated with age and social support (Loury, Jesse, & Wu, 2011; Ornelas, Eng, & Perreira, 2011). These findings suggest a pattern of prevalent risky drinking that is driven by social stressors.…”

Rural Latinos’ Mental Wellbeing: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of Family, Environment and Social Isolation Factors

“…Also, undocumented immigrants may find it more difficult to hide in rural areas, which have greater socio and spatial visibility. Studies have demonstrated that members of excluded groups have difficulty navigating rural public spaces without feeling stigmatized, which over time can impact their mental wellbeing (Loury, Jesse, & Wu, 2011; Mora et al, 2013). …”