How To Measure Alcohol-related Problems Amongst Young People in Community Surveys (From Alcohol and Drugs: Research and Policy, P 71-81, 1990, Martin Plant, Cees Goos, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-129672)

• NCJ Number: 129680
• Author(s): S Ahlstrom
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: University of Edinburgh Press
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Since the early 1970's, surveys have been used increasingly in many countries to gather information on adolescent alcohol use and problems resulting from it.

Abstract

The two main categories of surveys have been descriptive surveys and those with either a theoretical basis or more rigorous sampling procedures. The majority of surveys have had cross-sectional designs, and the samples used in national surveys have differed with respect to the ages involved and the representativeness of the participants. The surveys have gathered a wide range of data, with a few examining accidents and other problems resulting from drinking. The main problem involved in using survey techniques is that the incidence of alcohol abuse may be low. Thus, surveys are probably better for examining drinking patterns than for determining the consequences of drinking. Future research should include longitudinal studies of the development of drinking habits during adolescence, select sampling methods and age groups carefully, complement the survey method with other approaches, deal appropriately with cross-cultural issues, and distinguish between questions referring to lifetime problems and those experienced only briefly. 26 references