A new study finds that drinking rates in female immigrants increase as they acculturate to the dominate culture here in the United States.

“The study found that Latina women who are highly acculturated to American society — that is, women who tend to speak English more than Spanish, associated heavily with Anglos, and feel comfortable in relationships with Anglos — tend to drink more than those who are not so highly acculturated. Specifically, these women are more likely to drink, and tend to drink more if they do drink,” researcher Sarah E. Zemore, associate scientist at the Alcohol Research Group, said in a prepared statement.

It seems that immigrant groups change in order to accommodate to the norms present in the country. For example, in the U.S. it is acceptable for women to drink alcohol, while that may be frowned upon in the home countries of some immigrants. I am curious if this could lead to more problems with alcoholism in Latina women or if it is even an issue.

Via / Health Day