The rate of alcohol consumption among Chinese and Japanese Americans is examined. Attempts are made to reconcile previous research findings that have attributed low rates of consumption to physiological or to social/cultural factors. The reciprocity model is proposed as a means of conceptualizing and integrating these factors. By using the reciprocity model, the unique kinds of problems faced by Asian American adolescents are explained. Implications for future research are drawn that simultaneously consider physiological and social/cultural influences.
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