Journal article
Discrimination and drinking: A systematic review of the evidence
Social science & medicine (1982), Vol.161, pp.178-194
07/2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.06.009
PMCID: PMC4921286
PMID: 27315370
Abstract
Although it is widely accepted that discrimination is associated with heavy and hazardous drinking, particularly within stress and coping frameworks, there has been no comprehensive review of the evidence. In response, we conducted a systematic review of the English language peer-reviewed literature to summarize studies of discrimination and alcohol-related outcomes, broadly defined. Searching six online data bases, we identified 938 non-duplicative titles published between 1980 and 2015, of which 97 met all inclusion criteria for our review and reported quantitative tests of associations between discrimination and alcohol use. We extracted key study characteristics and assessed quality based on reported methodological details. Papers generally supported a positive association; however, the quantity and quality of evidence varied considerably. The largest number of studies was of racial/ethnic discrimination among African Americans in the United States, followed by sexual orientation and gender discrimination. Studies of racial/ethnic discrimination were notable for their frequent use of complex modeling (i.e., mediation, moderation) but focused nearly exclusively on interpersonal discrimination. In contrast, studies of sexual orientation discrimination (i.e., heterosexism, homophobia) examined both internalized and interpersonal aspects; however, the literature largely relied on global tests of association using cross-sectional data. Some populations (e.g., Native Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders) and types of discrimination (e.g., systemic/structural racism; ageism) received scant attention. This review extends our knowledge of a key social determinant of health through alcohol use. We identified gaps in the evidence base and suggest directions for future research related to discrimination and alcohol misuse.
•Summarizes reports on the relationship between discrimination and alcohol outcomes.•Assesses methods underlying research on discrimination and alcohol use.•Majority of findings are based on studies of racism among African Americans.•Some population groups and types of discrimination have received scant attention.•Makes recommendations to improve future research.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Discrimination and drinking: A systematic review of the evidence
- Creators
- Paul A Gilbert - Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, 145N. Riverside Drive, N414 CPHB, Iowa City, IA 52242, USASarah E Zemore - Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 6475 Christie Avenue, Suite 400, Emeryville, CA 94608-1010, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Social science & medicine (1982), Vol.161, pp.178-194
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.06.009
- PMID
- 27315370
- PMCID
- PMC4921286
- NLM abbreviation
- Soc Sci Med
- ISSN
- 0277-9536
- eISSN
- 1873-5347
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: T32AA007240, P50AA005595
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/2016
- Academic Unit
- Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984064199602771
Metrics
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