A contextual analysis of drinking events.

Previous studies have related the level of alcohol consumption to several context variables. The present study investigates the relationship between context variables and drinking levels. A household survey of 794 adults in metropolitan Boston found that among men, mean alcohol consumption was significantly higher in bars than in other settings and significantly higher with friends than with spouse and relatives. Among women, drinking location interacted significantly with type of companions. Mean consumption with friends was significantly higher in bars than in other settings. Mean consumption with relatives was significantly lower in home contexts than in other settings.