Differential perceptions of drinkers of alcoholic beverages by Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic whites.

Random samples of 534 Mexican-Americans and 616 non-Hispanic Whites were interviewed over the telephone in San José, California and in San Antonio, Texas. Mexican-Americans tended to favor most frequently negative traits for their perceptions of drinkers than non-Hispanic Whites. Excessive drinkers were perceived most frequently in generally negative fashion by members of both ethnic groups although they were also perceived as happy persons. Highly acculturated Mexican-Americans reported perceptions of drinkers and of excessive drinkers that differed from those held by the less acculturated Mexican-Americans and that resembled those held by the non-Hispanic White respondents.