Urban and rural Indian drinking patterns: the special case of the Lumbee.

This paper reports the results of a study of 460 adult male Lumbee Indians in a rural and urban setting. The study sought to determine what factors would explain the differences in drinking patterns between the rural and urban settings. The major variables considered were: (1) quantity, frequency, and variability of drinking; (2) occupational prestige; (3) commitment to work; (4) status satisfaction; and (5) job satisfaction. The urban Lumbee show a mean drinking pattern that is heavier than that of the rural group. In general, low achievement, as measured by occupational prestige and status satisfaction, and low satisfaction, as measured by job satisfaction and commitment to work, predict more excessive drinking patterns. Implications of the findings for treatment and future research are discussed.