Types of New Zealand Drinkers and Their Associated Alcohol-Related Problems

Abstract

Alcohol consumption and contextual data collected from a sample of 983 men and 894 women were analysed using multivariate statistical methods in an attempt to identify different types of drinkers. The sample was derived from three thousand face-to-face interviews randomly conducted in Auckland, the major metropolitan centre of New Zealand. The multivariate analysis was based on those who had consumed alcohol in the week preceding their interview. Factor analysis was used as a form of data reduction, while cluster analysis was used to assign individuals into groups characterised by particular aspects of their drinking practices that were different from average. The clusters were cross-tabulated by demographic and alcohol-related problem variables. Twelve male and ten female clusters were identified. The choice of target clusters for health promotion activities is discussed.