Beliefs about alcohol among UK Jews and Protestants: Do they fit the alcohol-depression hypothesis?

Abstract.

Background: Some research has suggested that Jews drink less alcohol than other cultural groups, and may have different beliefs about its use. Differences in beliefs about alcohol, and different patterns of use, may play a role in accounting for cultural and gender variations in depression prevalence. Alcohol may act as an escape route from depression, thus deflating depression rates in certain groups of people, in particular, men from Protestant backgrounds. Methods: Self-reported use and beliefs about alcohol were assessed in a UK sample of 70 Jews and 91 Protestants, including non-practising people of Jewish and Protestant background. The effects of religious group and of gender on measures of alcohol behaviour and beliefs were examined. Results: Some differences were found between Jews and Protestants. Jews had less favourable beliefs about alcohol and drank less than Protestants. More importantly, and in line with our hypotheses, there were gender differences in Protestants but not Jews with respect to some beliefs about alcohol and actual use of alcohol. Conclusions: The study goes some way in supporting the notion that religious-cultural and gender differences in beliefs and behaviour towards alcohol may contribute to religious-cultural and gender differences in rates of depression.