Harry H. L. Kitano

Predicting Japanese American drinking behavior.

Empirical data on Japanese American drinking behavior are scarce. The present study was a random sample (N = 295) of households in Los Angeles with Japanese surnames. Japanese Americans born in the United States tended to drink less than those born in Japan. The study also observed significant gender differences in Japanese American drinking behavior which were attributed to ascribed social roles. Other demographic and social determinants of drinking were examined through two logistic regression models. The first model predicted drinking (as opposed to abstaining), while the other distinguished heavy drinkers from those who drank alcohol in more moderate amounts. Potential reference groups (e.g., parents, friends, church groups, etc.) were often significant in predicting whether and how much a Japanese American drank.

Alcohol Consumption among Chinese in the United States

According to the 1980 census, the Chinese, with a population of 806,027, are the largest Asian minority in the United States. The rapid growth in the Chinese population is primarily a result of more recent waves of immigration from Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Peoples’ Republic of China, and Southeast Asia. These new arrivals have increased the heterogeneity of the Chinese population. In addition to the demographic, social, psychological, and geographic differences among those residing in the United States, we thus have Chinese immigrants from many different parts of Asia. The heterogeneity makes any simple generalization about the Chinese tenuous, yet there is a general notion that in terms of alcohol consumption, they are a non-drinking group. For example, Cahalan (1978) reports that there are several cultural groups within the United States with a consistent record of moderation in the use of alcohol—particularly the Jews and Chinese. ... We should study these groups to determine exactly how they manage to maintain their record of moderation even when immersed in a heavy-drinking society. (p. 24)

Heavy drinking among young adult Asian males

A common belief about young adult Asian American male drinking behaviour is that few, if any, are heavy drinkers. It is often further assumed that different groups of Asian males exhibit similar drinking patterns. This article challenges both of these common beliefs. Heavy drinking is indeed very rare among the Asian American females regardless of age (Chi et al., 1986). However, heavy drinking is not uncommon for Asian males, especially among young adults. For example, a survey by the Health and Welfare Ministry (Hokubei Manichi, 1981 ) showed widespread drinking among males in Japan. In 1981, over 37 percent reported that they drank every day, compared to 32 percent who reported that they drank every day in a 1966 survey. A similar rise has been noted in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Council of Social Services, 1983). This rise in Asian alcohol consumption has kindled interest in a better understanding of Asian American drinking behaviour, especially potential heavy drinking among young adult males. Do the Asian American males exhibit a similar pattern of increased drinking? The answer to that question is not readily apparent. A problem exists with previous research on Asian drinking behaviour. Although several studies have noted differences in rates of alcohol use across various major ethnic groups (e.g. Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, etc.), few studies have determined whether the rates among various Asian groups are also different. Studies of Asian American drinking have tended to concentrate on the drinking behaviour of one Asian American group at a time (Chi et al., 1988; Kitano et al., 1985, 1988; Lin and Lin, 1982; Lubben et al., 1988a, b; Sue et al., 1985). Unfortunately, the results of these studies are often

Asian Americans in the Twentieth Century

Summary At the close of the century, Asian/Pacific Islander Americans comprise a rapidly growing and diverse population in the United States. This population consists of ethnic groups that have been here for up to five generations, as well as recent immigrants and refugees. The Chinese and Japanese were the two groups that were identified by the United States census just before the beginning of the 20th century; by the end of the 1900s, Asian Indians, Filipinos, Koreans, Vietnamese, and Pacific Islander groups were added. It is a population that has many internal differences, with some groups faring relatively well, achieving income, educational and occupational gains, while other groups are far from achieving them. The purpose of this article is to look at the Asian Americans at the beginning of the 1900s and to assess the changes in their demographic and socioeconomic status by the end of the century. The descriptive data in this article provide a background for understanding the Asian American experience in the 20th century.

Book Review: Counselling and Therapy with Refugees: Psychological Problems of Victims of War, Torture and RepressionCounselling and Therapy with Refugees: Psychological Problems of Victims of War, Torture and Repression. By van der VeerGuus. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1992. 276 pp.

ties, more comprehensive treatment of these concepts and principles is required. Overall, however, this volume is a valuable resource for advocates in the field of develop mental disabilities, families, disabled people, and service agencies. Comprehensive references are provided for each chapter in part one. A more structured and categorized appendix follows at the conclusion of the volume. As a social work educator for the past 30 years, l found it most refreshing to be assured that a tradition of advocacy and partnership with consumers continues. This book, through the competent writing of Racino and her coauthors, reaffirms hope, establishes a commitment to justice, and rekindles the urgency to seek societal transformation in our services to others.