Alcohol Consumption Has Been Increasingly

¶ … alcohol consumption has been increasingly brought to the forefront. Part of the reason for this, is because of the indirect social impact that it is having upon society. Where, excessive use of this substance has often had a number of different social consequences to include: drunk driving, alcoholism and a general decay in the various societal structures (i.e. relationships with family as well as friends). Given the fact that 100 million Americans are responsibly consuming alcohol on regular basis, makes this issue particularly challenging. As scientists have touted, how regularly consuming one to two drinks a day can have a positive impact upon the underlying health of the individual. ("Adult Beverage Consumption," 2008) This is problematic, because it shows how a divergence is occurring. Where, the common beliefs are: that excessive alcohol consumption is isolated to lower income segments of the population. The reason why, is because of the common thinking, about how many of ghettos often have liquor stores on every corner and the stereotypical wino. However, when you look at the underlying issue a little further, it is clear that the overall level of income of the individual may have the opposite effect on consumption rates. Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than, than a study that was conducted by the Norwegian authorities. Where, they found that income would play a role in how frequently someone would consume alcohol. As their study highlighted; the fact that those individuals who have higher income levels will often drink more. The reason why, is because they would feel greater pressure in social circumstance to drink (which is causing the increase). (Rosta, 2010) This is significant, because it shows how the common beliefs about alcohol consumption may be flawed. As a result, this study will seek to corroborate or refute the underlying effects of alcohol on the different social / economic groups within society. To determine this requires: examining various pieces of data, the estimation strategy and providing an interpretation of these results. At the same time, empirical estimation will compare various statistics with one another, to corroborate and improve the accuracy of the study. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights, as to the overall role that the income of an individual will play in determining the levels of alcohol that they are consuming.

Data

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (a health and nutritional study released by the U.S. government), they define moderate drinking as someone who will consume no more than one to two glasses of alcohol per day. At the same time, these individual do not engage in what is known as binge drinking. This is when you are consuming more than three drinks per day in any one type of setting. Over the course of time, binge drinking has been known to have adverse health effects on the body and it can help contribute to someone becoming an alcoholic. This is important, because it is establishing a basic foundation for defining the different levels of drinking in the study. Where, there will be total of four different categories to include: non-alcoholic drinkers, moderate drinkers, borderline binge drinkers and binge drinkers. This will help to identify the general categories of the study and it will focus the research as much as possible. The various definitions for each category would include:

Non-alcoholic drinker: this is someone who never consumes alcohol or may drink once in a while (i.e. one to two drinks a month).

Moderate drinker: this is an individual who will drink one to two drinks per day and they do not exceed this limit.

Borderline binge drinker: this is someone who is consuming more than three drinks over the course of month.

Binge drinker: this is an individual who will regularly drink more than three drinks per day on consistent basis (at least one time every week).

The next part of the study will be to establish different income levels. This will be accomplished by subdividing the different categories into select groups to include: 18 to 29 years old, 30 to 44 years old and 45 to 59 years old. At which point, we will look at the responses based upon income levels. This will take place, by having various income demographics to include: zero to $15,000.00 per year; $15, 000.00 to $35,000.00; $35,000.00 to $60,000.000 and those individuals earning over $65,000.00 per year. The length of time of the study will be for total of two days. The size of the sample will be a total of 4,000 people. (Magadelna, 2004) These different elements are important, because they are mirroring the sample that was utilized in previous studies comparing underlying rates of alcohol consumption and income. This will help to corroborate the finding from previous studies and how new information can be identified about, how income levels could be influencing alcohol consumption. (Rosta, 2010)

The data will identify how income amounts will specifically impact the levels of alcohol consumption. This will help to improve the validity of the study, as it is taking into account any kind of outliners by looking at all sources of information. The different units would include the four main general categories and subgroups. The main variables for the study would be to compare the underlying levels of alcohol consumptions with each group. The non-alcoholic drinkers would serve as the independent variable, by mirroring the status quo. While the other three categories would be the different dependent variables, as they are measuring the total amount of alcohol consumption in different stages.

When you put these different elements together, this provides a good overview of what specific factors would be affecting the various drinking levels. Where, the study is taking into account all of the different factors and then corroborates them against the independent variable. Once this takes place, it provides a more accurate assessment as to how the research question will be answered.

Estimation Strategy

The different variables of the study include two different parts: the dependent and independent variables. The dependent variables are represented by the groups of: moderate drinkers, borderline binge drinkers and binge drinkers. The independent variable would be the category of non-drinkers. The reason why these different groups were selected for these variables was based upon the fact that three categories involve drinking on a regular basis. Given the fact that this is occurring in all three, means that the various degrees must be accurately measured. As a result, the non-drinker category would serve as the independent variable by correlating how often someone will drink.

The reason why this estimation strategy was used is because, it provides the most accurate interpretation of what possible issues could be affecting the underlying levels of alcohol consumption. Where, we are examining how income and the frequency of drinking could have an impact upon the individual. At the same time, this is helping to identify specific issues that could be affecting why someone will choose to drink more often (such as: social pressures etc.).

The possible drawbacks of using this strategy are that the sample size is so small, that it could miss the underlying trend that is occurring. For example, if the study was conducted in one community that was wealthier than the others in the surrounding areas. It could overlook key demographics on income and their underlying effects. At the same time, this strategy could isolate issues that are important to particular regions. When you put these different elements together, this means that odds increase that some kind of anomaly could occur without researchers realizing what is taking place. To mitigate these effects as much as possible, other research studies will be examined to corroborate the findings from our study. This will reduce the possibility that various anomalies could be occurring, as each study will independently look at different variables and population sample sizes. Anything that it against the underlying trends of the research will be disregarded as inaccurate information. As a result, this will improve the effectiveness of the study and it will corroborate the previous findings from other research.

When you step back and look at the estimation strategy, it is clear that it can help to identify the role that income will play in the frequency of alcohol consumption. As it will correlate three different dependent variables, against the independent variable. At the same time, we are corroborating the data that was collected with other information. Once this occurs, it will reduce possible errors that could take place from select samples and regional factors that could affect the results. At which point, we can be able to make accurate inferences, about how the findings from our study, are highlighting the underlying effect that income will have on alcohol consumption.

Results

The results from the data that was collected indicate that income will play a major role in how frequently someone will drink. Where, those individuals who have higher levels of personal income will be more inclined to drink. The reason why is because, they would often feel increased social pressure to have at least one or two drinks. As the desire, to be successful would push everyone to engage in some form of alcohol consumption. Where, those individuals who were engaging in such activities were often viewed in positive light, by being thought of as team players. This is important, because it underscores how the common stereotypes of low income individuals drinking alcohol is not true. (Magadelna, 2004)

Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than the data that was collected. Where, it would show how an increase would take place in the number of individuals who are consuming alcohol. As the older someone becomes, would have an effect upon their overall levels of alcohol consumption. The below table illustrates how the overall amount of alcohol consumption will increase with each age group. As the older and wealthier and individuals become will be more inclined to become moderate drinkers.

Income vs. Age Group Alcohol Consumption

Daily Drinks

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

0

30.4%

38.8%

41.0%

0 -1

45.5%

44.8%

43.5%

1-2

6.5%

9.0%

9.9%

3 +

2.3%

3.6%

2.9%

Average Income

$31,517.20

$39,735.50

$48,533.00

(Magadelna, 2004)

The above figures are significant, because they highlight a how the more income that someone is making. The greater the chances, that they will begin to consumer at least one to two drinks per day. However, when you look further at these different statistics, the largest amount of binge drinking was reported among the 30 to 44-year-old demographic. At the same time, the number of people who were non-drinkers was highest among: the 45- to 59-year-old age group. What this shows, is that in general income will cause the number of drinks that people are taking to increase. This is can be seen with the rise in the number of individuals taking 1 to 2 drinks per day. As the older that someone becomes, means that they will make more money and will begin to drink more frequently (as moderate drinkers). The sharp increase in non-drinkers in the 44- to 59-year-old age demographic indicates that some kind of shift could be occurring with this group. As income and age, could force a certain number of individuals to go to either end of the spectrum. (Magadelna, 2004)

Demographics

The various demographics of the respondents were subdivided into a number of different groups to include: gender, ethnic groups, marital status, education, career path and the changing levels of economic prosperity. The below tables illustrates the different demographics of research respondents.

Gender Demographics

Gender

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Female

62.0%

61.6%

53.8%

Male

38.0%

38.4%

46.2%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Ethnic Groups

Ethnic Group

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

White

65.4%

59.1%

72.5%

Black

32.5%

38.8%

25.4%

Other

2.0%

2.0%

2.2%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Marital Status

Marital Statues

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Married

35.7%

61.4%

65.8%

Single

27.1%

14.5%

5.3%

Divorce / Widow

6.3%

19.7%

25.3%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Education

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Education Level Avg.

12.9

13.2

13.5

(Magadelna, 2004)

Career Path

Career

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Blue Collar

44.1%

44.5%

32.3%

Professional

39.1%

41.3%

48.4%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Changing Levels of Economic Prosperity

Economic Prosper.

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Increase Wealth

7.0%

11.5%

5.0%

Negative Wealth

17.7%

15.2%

7.9%

Positive Wealth

64.9%

64.2%

76.1%

What all of the demographic information shows, it that the population sample took into account a large number of variables, to ensure as much accuracy as possible. This is important, because it can be used to corroborate the findings with other results (due to the fact that a diverse group of the population was examined).

When you step back and look at the underlying findings of the study, it is clear that income will cause the underlying levels of alcohol usage to increase in groups that are making more money. Where, these individuals will more than likely begin to drink between one and two drinks per day. While, the total number of binge drinkers would decline and the amount of non-drinkers would increase. However, it appears as if the underlying age of the individual will play an important role in determine how often they will drink. Evidence of this can be seen with the constant increase in non-drinkers from 30.4% in 18 to 29-year-olds to 41.0% in 45- to 49-year-olds. At the same time, the number of binge drinkers would peak in the 30 to 44-year-old age demographic. This is significant, because it shows how two trends are emerging. One is concentrating on the increasing amounts of drinking, with the rising levels of income. Yet, these increases are taking place in the group of moderate drinkers. This is indicating that people are more inclined to drink when there is an increase in their income. At the same time, the increases in non-drinkers with age, indicates that this could also be a major factor that is affecting how many drinks an individual will have during the course of the day.

Accuracy

To determine the accuracy of these finding requires corroborating the results with other studies that were conducted. The idea is that by taking this kind of research and then correlating the findings with one another will provide the most accurate results. The reason why is because you are comparing the result from our sample with other samples that were taken. When you put these different elements together, this means that we can be able to make the most accurate inferences about the role that income will play in alcohol consumption.

The study that was conducted by Elgar (2005), would examine the how income would have an impact on alcohol consumption, by examining the underlying effects in young adults. Where, researchers would sample 11 to 15-year-olds, in 34 different countries, the results were: that income did play a role in determining the first time that a teen would begin drinking and the frequency. As they found that those adolescents who are from more wealthy families were inclined to engage in these kinds of situations, in comparison with young people from lower income levels. (Elgar, 2005, pp. 245 -- 250) This is significant, because it is corroborating the underlying findings with one another, highlighting how a trend is occurring with alcohol usage and income levels. The information from this research is useful, because it helps to identify specific factors that could be affecting how income levels are having an impact upon alcohol consumption rates. The fact that this study was able to sample a different population demographic; allows us to support our findings and confirms the trend that is taking place.

The research that was conducted by Heien (1996) talks about how there has been conflicting studies that are occurring. Where, some are highlighting the fact that income levels cannot be directly linked to increases in alcohol consumption. While at the same time, others are showing that income will have an impact upon the alcohol consumption. In this study, Heien is attempting to determine which view is more accurate, through the use of regression analysis and correlating data. This was complied by various hospitals on the underlying effects of income on the individual. The results were that there was a direct link between income and the total amount of alcohol that is being consumed. In this case, respondents were more inclined to drink when they were seeing an increase in their income levels. While those individuals; who were often non-drinkers were from the low income backgrounds. This is significant, because this is corroborating the information that was identified from the previous study. At the same time, it is highlighting how the study that we conducted was able to identify the underlying trend that is taking place.