Malt Liquor Use A Community College Study Meng-Jinn Chen, Ph.D. Prevention Research Center Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation

Background  Malt liquor beverages Have higher alcohol content (6-8%) than beer (4-5%)Have higher alcohol content (6-8%) than beer (4-5%) Are often packaged in large volume containers (40oz)Are often packaged in large volume containers (40oz) Are sold as beer but at cheaper prices ($1-2 per 40oz)Are sold as beer but at cheaper prices ($1-2 per 40oz) Are typically consumed in large quantities in a short period of timeAre typically consumed in large quantities in a short period of time Sample brands: Colt 45, King Cobra, Mickey’s Old English, St. IdesSample brands: Colt 45, King Cobra, Mickey’s Old English, St. Ides  It has been speculated that malt liquor is appealing to young people because of the cheaper prices and beer-like taste

Survey  Time: Sept (2 weeks)  45 daytime English classes  Self-administered anonymous questionnaire  A letter and a fact sheet to students  Verbal consent at survey  $20 for participation  Response rate = 87%

Participant Demographics  N = 1,226  40% male  20% Asian, 6% Black, 38% Caucasian, 25% Latino, and 10% other.  Age: 15 to 65 (mean=21, mode=18) 75% ≤20, 12% 21-25, 12% ≥26 75% ≤20, 12% 21-25, 12% ≥26 (Younger students were over-sampled)

Sample representation by gender

Sample representation by ethnicity

Sample representation by age

Malt liquor use, Heavy/problem drinking, & Other problem behaviors The following analyses were limited to students of age 25 or younger.

Prevalence of malt liquor use

Prevalence by Age

Prevalence by Ethnicity (1) Total sample

Prevalence by Ethnicity (2) Drinkers only Note: Very few Black students reported drinking, they were combined with Other.

Drinking Pattern Malt liquor drinkers vs. non-malt liquor drinkers ML drinkers reported significantly more…  30-day frequency-quantity  30-day freq. of heavy drinking  30-day freq. of intoxication

ML drinkers scored higher on AUDIT AUDIT = Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

ML drinkers were more likely to use tobacco and other illicit drugs

ML drinkers were more likely to engage in problem behaviors

Logistic Regressions

Conclusion  A substantial percentage of community college students drink malt liquor.  It is more prevalent among Caucasian and Latino students than Asian and Black students.

Conclusion  Malt liquor use is associated with heavy alcohol use, multi-drug use, and problem behaviors.  Malt liquor use was predictive of problem drinking, illicit drug use, and problem behaviors when background variables and past-30-day drinking were controlled.

Limitation  Ethnic minority youngsters attending community colleges may not be representative of the general youngster in ethnic minority groups. Studies with general population samples are needed.

Preparation of this slide presentation is based on a paper published at Journal of Studies on Alcohol. Chen, M.-J., & Paschall, M.J. (2003). Malt liquor use, heavy/problem drinking, and other problem behaviors in a sample of community college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 64(6),