Correlations of alcohol consumption amongst marialionceros in Venezuela

ABSTRACT The religion of Maria Lionza in Venezuela includes many healing and possession rituals, where alcohol consumption is frequent. This has contributed to the perception that this religion is uniquely associated with alcoholism and criminality. Those perceptions may be negative stereotypes that are rooted in race and class biases. This study tests the hypothesis that the religion of Maria Lionza is associated with greater alcohol consumption, in a study with 71 participants. The results suggest that marialionceros are at greater risk of developing Alcohol Use Disorders than a control group. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between alcohol consumption and religiosity as a whole, although there is a weak correlation between organisational religious activity and alcohol consumption. A strong negative correlation was found between educational level and alcohol consumption.