A biracial comparison of adolescent alcohol use

This study used a survey design to compare the drinking behaviors of Black and White students from two urban high schools in the city of Cleveland. Data are presented from 1,096 students who completed a 28-item self-report questionnaire measuring adolescent alcohol use and several factors which influence it. White males demonstrated the highest amount of alcohol use on all measures, while White females demonstrated drinking rates comparable to Black males. Blacks of both sexes exhibited the highest percentage of nondrinkers and the highest lifetime abstention rates. White respondents tended to have their initial drinking experiences almost a year earlier than their Black counterparts and perceived greater parental permissiveness regarding drinking. Relaxation was the most popular reason given for drinking by all groups of students. Higher percentages of White than Black students felt that conviviality and problem avoidance were benefits associated with drinking. Subcultural variations were also seen in the perceptions about parental influences on drinking. Implications for service delivery are discussed.