Risk and protective factors of alcohol use disorders among Filipino Americans: location of residence matters.

Background: Despite the growing number of Asian Americans (AA) in the United States, research on alcohol abuse in this population is sparse. Although AA have few alcohol use disorders (AUD) as an aggregate group, within-group variations in AUD need to be explored among specific ethnic groups in this population.

Objectives: This study compared correlates of 12-month prevalence of AUD between Filipino Americans who currently drink alcohol and live in San Francisco (SF) or Honolulu.

Methods: Data from the 1998-1999 Filipino American Community Epidemiological Survey (N = 537) were used to test two hypotheses: 1) current drinkers in SF and Honolulu will differ in the characteristics and prevalence of AUD and 2) current drinkers in SF and Honolulu do not share the same protective and risk factors of AUD.

Results: Current drinkers from the two regions substantially differed in age, years of education, age at first drink, religiosity, ethnic identity, psychological distress, the nativity status, as well as the prevalence of AUD. Logistic regression models revealed that AUD risk factors were different for SF current drinkers (higher psychological distress, U.S.-born, and lower religiosity) compared to Honolulu drinkers (more years of education and lower emotional support).

Conclusion: Filipino American drinkers living in SF and Honolulu have different risk and protective factors for AUD. Health professionals need to be aware of this difference when screening for factors associated with AUD among Filipino Americans.

Scientific Significance: The current study revealed the importance of socioenvironmental context (location of residence) in predicting AUD among an Asian ethnic group.