NCJ Number
220234
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 37 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 107-122
Date Published
2007
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the results of a 2-year longitudinal study exploring beverage-specific alcohol consumption patterns among adolescents.
Abstract
Two important findings emerged regarding the adolescents studied: (1) there were differences in beverage-specific alcohol consumption patterns over time, with wine use increasing, liquor use decreasing, and the other four beverages (beer, flavored coolers, fortified wine, and malt liquor) showing no significant changes and (2) there were differences in beverage choice and drinking patterns by gender and ethnicity. Flavored coolers were the most commonly reported beverage for 30-day use, heavy drinking and chugging in the ninth grade, but as students aged liquor and beer were somewhat more likely to be reported, particularly for heavy drinking and chugging. Interestingly, these three beverage types have been reported to be more commonly advertised to adolescents than adults. The results indicate the need for testing interventions that target the beverages most popular among students at various points in high school in order to enhance the effectiveness of future prevention programs to reduce alcohol consumption among adolescents. According to a 2003 national survey, three-fourths (74.9 percent) of high school students have had one or more drinks of alcohol during their life, and almost half (44.9 percent) have had one in the past month. This study explored beverage-specific alcohol consumption patterns among a sample of 455 high school students over a 2-year period. Variables of interest included five use measures (past year use, 30-day frequency, quantity, heavy use, chugging), each measured for six beverages (beer, wine, flavored coolers, fortified wine, liquor, and malt liquor). Tables, references