Lisa A. Cubbins

Epidemiology of Alcohol Abuse Among US Immigrant Populations

The knowledge of racial and ethnic variations in alcohol abuse among US immigrants is limited. We compared the prevalence and correlates of alcohol abuse among US foreign-born versus US-natives by race-ethnicity using data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Alcohol abuse outcomes included clinical diagnosis, excessive drinking, and intoxication. The foreign-born respondents had lower rates of alcohol abuse than the US-born, but some variations were noted by race-ethnicity. The risk of clinical diagnosis due to traumatic events was higher for the foreign-born population. Future research should continue to investigate the role of stress, the specific traumatic events most problematic for immigrant groups, and the interplay of the original and host culture in shaping the patterns of alcohol abuse in the immigrant population.

Self-Reported Health in Poland and the United States: A Comparative Analysis of Demographic, Family and Socioeconomic Influences

This study compares the social determinants of individual health between the United States, a capitalist society, and Poland, a ‘post-communist’ society. The effects of demographic factors, family characteristics and socioeconomic status on self-reported health are estimated with OLS regression using data from the 1994 American and Polish General Social Surveys. The results show lower self-reported health and more rapid declines in health for people over 60 in Poland than in the United States. Also, in Poland, women report worse health than do men while the opposite is found for the United States. The relationships between education, income and health were stronger in the United States than in Poland. Age, gender and SES may operate differently in the two countries because of a gap in social development (e.g. varying living standards and styles, health care systems and cultural attitudes) between the West and the former Eastern Europe.

Division of Household Labor as a Source of Contention for Married and Cohabiting Couples in Metropolitan Moscow

Using data on Moscowcouples, this study investigates the division of household labor and its effects on marital conflict and thought of divorce. The hypotheses predict how spouses’economic resources, gender beliefs, and time constraints influence marital contention both directly and indirectly through wife’s perceived division of household labor and her satisfaction with it. Husband’s marital contention also is analyzed. Among the findings, the spouses’ relative characteristics have some influence on the division of household labor, and the relative characteristics condition the effects of household labor on wife’s perceived marital conflict and thoughts of divorce. Household labor is most important in predicting marital contention for wives, but it is only somewhat important for husbands. While demonstrating that the household division of labor should be given more attention in Russian family research, the study provides an important comparative analysis for American scholars on the role of domestic labor in couple dynamics.

Alcohol use and abuse among rural Zimbabwean adults: a test of a community-level intervention.

BACKGROUND Understanding what factors contribute to alcohol abuse in resource-poor countries is important given its adverse health consequences. Past research shows that social peers influence substance abuse, suggesting that the social environment may be an effective target for reducing alcohol abuse across a population. This study investigates the determinants of alcohol use and abuse in rural Zimbabwe and tests a community popular opinion leader (CPOL) community-based intervention partly directed at reducing alcohol abuse. METHODS Tests were conducted on the impact of the CPOL intervention on alcohol use patterns across communities in rural Zimbabwe over three waves from 2003 to 2007, including community- and individual-level tests using data based on in-person interviews of adult men and women (ages 18-30; N=5543). Data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests, as well as logistic and ordinary least-squares regression with random effects. RESULTS Higher drinking (any use, more frequent use, greater quantity, and/or frequent drunkenness) was generally associated with being male, older, not married, more highly educated, of Shona ethnicity, away from home frequently, employed, having no religious affiliation, or living in areas with a higher crude death rate or lower population density. Over the study period, significant declines in alcohol use and abuse were found in intervention and control sites at relatively equal levels. CONCLUSIONS Although no support was found for the effectiveness of the CPOL study in reducing alcohol abuse, Zimbabwe is similar to other countries in the impact of socio-demographic and cultural factors on alcohol use and abuse.

Considerations of Methodological Approaches in the Recruitment and Retention of Immigrant Participants

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify effective strategies related to recruitment and retention of immigrant survey participants.MethodologyThe study used a multi-mode approach in, first, conducting a literature review of recent articles on surveys that either targeted immigrants or included large numbers of immigrants in their samples. Next, six surveys were reviewed that either targeted or included large numbers of immigrants. Finally, expert opinions on immigration were gathered regarding recruitment and retention of immigrant survey participants.ResultsAlthough immigrants may be difficult to recruit due to limited English proficiency, mistrust of strangers, and/or high mobility, many of these challenges can be overcome by adopting the same strategies used when surveying ethnically diverse populations (e.g., snowballing versus advertisement, establishing a personal connection with data collectors). Nonetheless, a few practices were identified as most relevant for recruitment and retention of immigrant populations, including involving local community organizations relevant to immigrants, translation of materials tailored to the vernacular language of the various ethnicities, and customizing non-monetary incentives to the specific ethnicity.ConclusionsBased on the reviews and expert interviews, multiple strategies have been shown to be effective in recruiting and retaining immigrant participants.

Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymia at the Intersection of Nativity and Racial–Ethnic Origins

Immigrants often have lower rates of depression than US-natives, but longitudinal assessments across multiple racial–ethnic groups are limited. This study examined the rates of prevalent, acquired, and persisting major depression and dysthymia by nativity and racial–ethnic origin while considering levels of acculturation, stress, and social ties. Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions were used to model prevalence and 3-year incidence/persistence of major depression and dysthymia (DSM-IV diagnoses) using logistic regression. Substantive factors were assessed using standardized measures. The rates of major depression were lower for most immigrants, but differences were noted by race–ethnicity and outcome. Furthermore, immigrants had higher prevalence but not incidence of dysthymia. The associations between substantive factors and outcomes were mixed. This study describes and begins to explain immigrant trajectories of major depression and dysthymia over a 3-year period. The continuing research challenges and future directions are discussed.

Tanzanian men's gender attitudes, HIV knowledge, and risk behaviours

This study uses data from the 2004-05 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey to examine whether mens traditional gender role attitudes contribute to their sexual risk behaviours for HIV. Logistic regression with random effects were used to analyze effects on risk behaviours at last sex (partners being drunk and condom use) with the three most recent sexual relationships. Mens traditional gender attitudes increased risky sexual behaviours (e.g., not using a condom) even when they had accurate knowledge regarding HIV risks. The impact of mens gender attitudes and HIV knowledge on risky sexual behaviours did not vary by relationship type. Unexpectedly, condom use was more likely when either partner was drunk compared to neither being drunk, though the protective impact of HIV knowledge remained. Overall, these findings suggest that traditional gender attitudes present barriers to preventing HIV/AIDS that even increased knowledge about HIV risks may not overcome.

Nativity, Race–Ethnicity, and Dual Diagnosis Among US Adults

Purpose This study investigated disparities in dual diagnosis (comorbid substance-use and depressive/anxiety disorders) among US adults by nativity and racial-ethnic origin and socioeconomic, cultural, and psychosocial factors that may account for the observed disparities. Design/methodology The study drew on data from two waves of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Racial-ethnic categories included African, Asian/Pacific Islander, European, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and other Hispanic/Latino. Substance-use and depressive/anxiety disorders were assessed per DSM-IV. A four-category measure of comorbidity was constructed: no substance-use or psychiatric disorder; substance-use disorder only; depressive/anxiety disorder only; and, dual diagnosis. The data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Findings The prevalence of dual diagnosis was low but varied by nativity, with the highest rates among Europeans and Puerto-Ricans born in US states, and the lowest among Mexicans and Asians/Pacific Islanders. The nativity and racial-ethnic effects on likelihood of having dual diagnosis remained significant after all adjustments. Research limitations The limitations included measures of immigrant status, race-ethnicity, and stress and potential misdiagnosis of mental disorder among ethnic minorities. Practical and Social Implications This new knowledge will help to guide public health and health care interventions addressing immigrant mental and behavioral health gaps. Originality/value This study addressed the research gap in regard to the prevalence and correlates of dual diagnosis among immigrants and racial-ethnic minorities. The study used the most current and comprehensive data addressing psychiatric conditions among US adults and examined factors rarely captured in epidemiologic surveys (e.g., acculturation).

Assessing Determinants of Father’s Involvement with His Partner’s Pregnancy and His Child’s Well-being The Father Resources Survey Instrument

Father’s involvement in his family typically has beneficial effects on maternal health during pregnancy and on his child’s health and well-being. The strength and pattern of these effects vary, however, and most studies consider only a few factors that contribute to father involvement. In this study, we describe development and pilot testing of the Father Resources Survey Instrument, which consists of twenty-nine questions measuring eleven dimensions and designed to assess psychological, social, and work-related resources associated with father’s involvement in his family. The final pilot test indicates that the Father Resources Instrument may help to understand a father’s involvement in his female partner’s pregnancy and the health and well-being of his child.