Relationship between social stress and arrack drinking pattern: A cross‐cultural comparison among Muslim, Hindu, Santal and Oraon arrack drinkers in Rasulpur of Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose

Social stress and alcohol/arrack drinking are interrelated and vary across the sub cultures or cultures around the world. This study aims to examine relationships between social stress and arrack drinking patterns among Muslim, Hindu, Santaland Oraon communities in Rasulpur of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in Rasulpur of Bangladesh. In this region arrack produced from palm and date juice and arrack drinker of four ethnic communities is available round the year. Out of 760 male arrack drinkers, 391 samples (109 Muslim, 103 Hindu, 89 Santal and 90 Oraon) were randomly selected and were interviewed with semi‐structural questionnaire.

Findings

The results of multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that there were significant differences in and relationships between social stress and arrack drinking pattern among the communities studied. Results suggested that the 2‐35 times higher risks of Hindu and Muslim's social stressors than the Santal and Oraon were significantly related to their arrack drinking pattern.

Research limitations/implications

Although the findings of this study have been successful in understanding cross‐cultural variations in and relationships between social stress and arrack drinking patterns among the ethnic communities, further empirical study is needed into how coping or social support influence the relationships between the variables studied. In spite of this the findings may apply in formulating social policy and programs to reduce arrack drinking in the context of social stress in rural Bangladesh.

Originality/value

This paper is original in linking of theory, policy and practice in the context of social stress at reducing arrack drinking pattern in rural Bangladesh.

Citation

Uddin, E. (2011), "Relationship between social stress and arrack drinking pattern: A cross‐cultural comparison among Muslim, Hindu, Santal and Oraon arrack drinkers in Rasulpur of Bangladesh", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 31 No. 5/6, pp. 361-388. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443331111141318