Much of the burden of alcohol-related harm in interpersonal relationships is uncounted and poorly understood. In 2007, a nationally representative survey was conducted of 2000 adults using a postal questionnaire adapted from Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS). This project examines gender differences in alcohol consumption and patterns of alcohol-related behaviour in close relationships.

Aims:
– To measure alcohol consumption, drinking patterns, and drinking environments in a representative sample of New Zealanders (aged 18-70 years), and to compare patterns in men and women;
– To examine the association of hazardous drinking patterns with attitudes to drinking and the presence or absence of informal controls on drinking;
– To estimate the prevalence of alcohol-related problems with sexual health and behaviour, and aggression in the general population; and
– To contribute data to Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS).

Project team: Jennie Connor, Kypros Kypri, Kimberly Cousins, Jess Meiklejohn

Funding: University of Otago Research Grant, Dunedin School of Medicine “Start Up Award” and Bequest Funds, Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand