Abstract
Information is limited on alcohol use among Arab Americans. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the alcohol
use pattern among Arab Americans by reviewing existing surveys using an acculturation model. Secondary data analysis. Nationally,
English-speaking immigrant Arab Americans reported lower rates of lifetime alcohol use (50.8%), past month use (26.4%) and
binge drinking (10%) than the White majority group. In a state survey, self-identified English-speaking Arab Americans were
less likely to report past month use (45.6%) than the White majority group but reported similar rate of binge drinking (17.0%).
Locally, lifetime drinking was reported by 46.2% of the immigrants but only 13.4% of refugees fleeing war. Few databases are
available to estimate alcohol use pattern among Arab Americans; the limited data suggest a drinking pattern consistent with
acculturation. However, the potential influence of other factors is unknown and needs to be investigated.
use pattern among Arab Americans by reviewing existing surveys using an acculturation model. Secondary data analysis. Nationally,
English-speaking immigrant Arab Americans reported lower rates of lifetime alcohol use (50.8%), past month use (26.4%) and
binge drinking (10%) than the White majority group. In a state survey, self-identified English-speaking Arab Americans were
less likely to report past month use (45.6%) than the White majority group but reported similar rate of binge drinking (17.0%).
Locally, lifetime drinking was reported by 46.2% of the immigrants but only 13.4% of refugees fleeing war. Few databases are
available to estimate alcohol use pattern among Arab Americans; the limited data suggest a drinking pattern consistent with
acculturation. However, the potential influence of other factors is unknown and needs to be investigated.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9447-8
- Authors
- Cynthia L. Arfken, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, 2761 E., Jefferson, Detroit, MI 482017, USA
- Bengt B. Arnetz, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI USA
- Monty Fakhouri, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI USA
- Matthew J. Ventimiglia, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI USA
- Hikmet Jamil, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912