Genderedness of Bar Drinking Culture and Alcohol-Related Harms: A Multi-Country Study

This study explores whether associations between consuming alcohol in bars and alcohol-related harms are consistent across
countries and whether country-level characteristics modify associations. We hypothesized that genderedness of bar drinking
modifies associations, such that odds of harms associated with bar drinking increase more rapidly in predominantly male bar-drinking
countries. Multilevel analysis was used to analyze survey data from 21 countries representing five continents from Gender,
Alcohol, and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS). Bar frequency was positively associated with harms overall. Relationships
between bar frequency and harms varied across country. Genderedness modified associations between bar frequency and odds of
fights, marriage/relationship harms, and work harms. Findings were significant only for men. Contrary to our hypothesis, odds
of harms associated with bar drinking increased less rapidly in countries where bar drinking is predominantly male. This suggests
predominantly male bar drinking cultures may be protective for males who more frequently drink in bars.