Factors related to problem-drinking rates.

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Abstract
Intercorrelation and regression analyses of data obtained from a drinking-related behavior and attitude household survey (N = 1127) of adults (age 18+) in Iowa, USA are reported. The consumption variables were based on the 30 days prior to interview and included total ounces of absolute alcohol consumed; number of days the subject drank beer, wine and distilled spirits separately; typical quantity of each beverage consumed on drinking days; and the number of days drank 5 or more drinks within a couple of hours. The drinking attitude variables included level of tolerance (approve, indifferent, disapprove) of others'' (men, women, spouse, son and daughter) drinking, getting high and getting intoxicated; a balance score of the proportion of positive and negative definitions of alcoholic beverages endorsed; and level of concern (not worried, somewhat worried and very worried) for 8 possible consequences of heavy drinking. The drinking context variables used were the number of past 30 days that respondents drank at a bar or tavern, restaurant or club, home, others'' homes, sports event and outdoor recreation; and number past 30 days drank alone, with relatives, work associates and close friends who are not work associates. The family environment variables included the respondent''s report of whether any blood-related relatives had experienced alcohol-related problems and of whether beverage alcohol was used in their childhood home. The problem-drinking measures included the Alcoholic Stages Index (ASI); the subscales of the ASI (Trouble Due to Drinking in Past 12 Mo., Personal Effects Drinking, Preoccupied Drinking and Uncontrolled Drinking); drinking that puts the respondent at a health risk (drinking 21 or more of the past 30 days and consuming 2 or more ounces of absolute alcohol on those days); and respondent admitting to drinking and driving in the past 30 days (driving a car within 2 or 3 h after consuming 3 or 4 drinks). The intercorrelation matrix of all these variables with each other is reported and all the consumption, attitude, drinking context and family environment variables are used in a regression analysis with each of the problem-drinking measures. Several variables of relatively weak individual importance combine in different ways to produce different problem-drinking consequences.

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