Social inequalities and correlates of alcohol abuse among young adults.

is a public health problem. This study assessed social disparities in alcohol abuse among young adults and whether they were mediated by psychological and social characteristics. Methods: 1,905 people aged 18-34, randomly selected in north-eastern France completed a post-mailed questionnaire. The data were analyzed via logistic models. Findings: Alcohol abuse was common: 18.7%. Compared with upper/intermediate professionals, significant OR adjusted for sex were found for manual workers (159, 95%CI 1.05-2.42) and employees (1.55, 1.02-2.37) but not for other professionals, students, housewives, and unemployed people. Adjusting for all confounders did not reduce the OR for manual workers (1.48) and employees (1.56). The significant confounders were: sex, living alone, poor health, hearing/cognitive disabilities, being not-sociable, aggressive, and low income (1.28≤OR≤4.25). Discussion: There are social disparities in alcohol abuse among young adults, but they are slightly mediated by individual confounders.