Elena Gervilla1,2, Zara Quigg3, Mariàngels Duch4, Montse Juan4, Clarisse Guimarães2. 1. Balearic Islands Health Research Institute, Carretera de Valldemossa, 79, 07120 Palma, Spain. 2. Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain. 3. Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Exchange Station, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK. 4. European Institute of Studies on Prevention, Rambla, 15 2º-3ª, 07003 Palma, Spain.
Abstract
Alcohol is a common drug misused by young people worldwide. Previous studies have found that attitudes towards heavy consumption are stronger predictors than general norms concerning alcohol. This study aims to explore adolescents' alcohol use and drunkenness, to understand adolescents' attitudes towards alcohol use, drunkenness and prevention approaches, and to explore associations between attitudes and personal alcohol use and demographics. Methods: Cross-sectional face-to-face survey of 410 adolescents (61.2% women) who were socializing at night in the streets of Palma (Spain). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), self-reported measures of alcohol use and social variables were assessed. Results: 70.7% of respondents had a BrAC score higher than 0. The full sample reported having a mean of 3.9 drunk episodes in the last month, and a mean of 7.34 in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A total of 30.7% were under the minimum age limit for alcohol drinking in Spain and males showed higher BrAC than females. Bivariate analyses identified some differences in attitudes across participant demographics and personal alcohol use. In conclusion, we found high levels of alcohol use and drunkenness amongst adolescents, and adolescents' attitudes towards drunkenness and prevention approaches were associated with their alcohol consumption as well as with age.
Alcohol is a common drug misused by young people worldwide. Previous studies have found that attitudes towards heavy consumption are stronger predictors than general norms concerning alcohol. This study aims to explore adolescents' alcohol use and drunkenness, to understand adolescents' attitudes towards alcohol use, drunkenness and prevention approaches, and to explore associations between attitudes and personal alcohol use and demographics. Methods: Cross-sectional face-to-face survey of 410 adolescents (61.2% women) who were socializing at night in the streets of Palma (Spain). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), self-reported measures of alcohol use and social variables were assessed. Results: 70.7% of respondents had a BrAC score higher than 0. The full sample reported having a mean of 3.9 drunk episodes in the last month, and a mean of 7.34 in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A total of 30.7% were under the minimum age limit for alcohol drinking in Spain and males showed higher BrAC than females. Bivariate analyses identified some differences in attitudes across participant demographics and personal alcohol use. In conclusion, we found high levels of alcohol use and drunkenness amongst adolescents, and adolescents' attitudes towards drunkenness and prevention approaches were associated with their alcohol consumption as well as with age.
Authors: Andrea Pastor; Xisca Sureda; Roberto Valiente; Hannah Badland; Macarena García-Dorado; Francisco Escobar Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-27 Impact factor: 4.614