Do Alcohol Consumption Patterns of Adolescents Differ by Beverage Type?

• NCJ Number: 214336
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: 2006 Pages: 45-62
• Author(s): Chudley Werch; Edessa C. Jobli; Michele J. Moore; Carlo C. DiClemente; Heather S. Dore; C. Hendricks Brown
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): AA9283
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A total of 660 mostly ninth-grade students in 3 high schools in northeast Florida were surveyed to determine whether their alcohol consumption differed by beverage type within gender and ethnic subgroups, as well as whether risk and protective factors distinguished drinkers from nondrinkers across specific alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, flavored coolers, fortified wine, malt liquor, and liquor).

Abstract

Among current drinkers, girls drank greater quantities of flavored coolers, had been drinking flavored coolers longer, and binge drank wine more often than boys. Boys, on the other hand, drank more beer, had been drinking malt liquor longer, and had more problems from drinking malt liquor than girls. White students were more likely to drink beer and liquor, and other ethnic groups were more likely to drink high-potency beverages, including fortified wine, malt liquor, liquor, and high proof spirits. Black students were less likely that other racial/ethnic groups to drink alcoholic beverages or to have alcohol-related problems. The most important factor that distinguished alcohol users from nonusers across all beverage types was the intention to use a particular type of beverage within the next 6 months. This finding supports the Theory of Planned Behavior, which holds that the intention to engage in a specific behavior is the most significant predictor that the behavior will occur. Given that intentions are influenced by attitudes, social norms, and perceived control, these factors might be targeted for intervention to prevent consumption across all types of alcoholic beverages. A 75-item alcohol youth survey (Werch, 2002) was used to collect data on beverage-specific alcohol consumption and risk and protective factors. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of the students were also collected. A nearly equal proportion of Black and White students were in the sample. 3 tables and 37 references