ABSTRACT
This paper presents conceptual guidelines for identifying cultural and socioenvironmental risk factors that have causal and thereby preventive significance for heavy and problem drinking at the family level. These issues are discussed on the basis of results of a recent study of families from a high-risk population of unemployed workers. For purposes of collecting demographic and drinking level data, a survey of husbands and wives was conducted in a sample drawn from 6000 workers who lost their jobs when an auto assembly plant closed in 1982. Using ethnographic techniques, in-home interviews and observations were then carried out with 30 families: 15 families with heavy drinking fathers, and 15 with moderate drinking fathers. Results show a relationship of heavy or moderate drinking practices to features of cultural and family background and present-day family, workplace and community environments. Strategies are presented on how this conceptual approach and the research findings can be used for primary prevention of alcohol problems.
