Relationships between Socioeconomic Status and Drinking Problems among Black and White Men

We sought to examine the relationships between socioeconomic status and drinking problems within the Black and White male populations. A two‐way interaction of social class with race/ethnicity, and with drinking consequences and alcohol dependence symptoms was hypothesized among drinkers. Drinking problems were regressed on social class, race/ethnicity, age, alcohol consumption, and drinking settings. Social class was based on a composite of respondent's income, education, and main wage earner's occupation. Two types of drinking problems were analyzed: drinking consequences and alcohol dependence symptoms. Our hypothesis was partially confirmed. Interactions of social class with race/ethnicity and with drinking problems were observed. Less affluent Black men reported greater numbers of drinking consequences and total drinking problems than less affluent White men; the reverse was true for affluent Black and White men. Results suggest that the relationships between socioeconomic status and drinking problems may vary by race/ethnicity.