NCJ Number
119137
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 22-28
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study explores the relationship between family contextual variables such as birth order and number of siblings and teenage alcohol use.
Abstract
Data in this study were gathered from 549 public school teenagers in Indiana. Results indicate that a relationship exists between family context and alcohol use; Family context explained approximately 3 percent of the variance in teenage alcohol use; only children had a level of alcohol use below the overall average for the sample; within two-child families, the first born had a level of use below the group average, and the second born, a level above the average; in families with three children, all three children demonstrated above average levels of alcohol use. Sibling rivalry is discussed as a possible explanation for the differences in alcohol consumption. 1 table and 20 references. (Author abstract modified)