A panel study of normative structure, adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use.

Panel data and multiple regression of follow-up data on baseline data are used to explore direction of relationship among normative structure, adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use. Baseline and follow-up data were collected on a random sample of 100 adolescents (54 males). Two separate measures of each of the six variables--Adolescent Alcohol Involvement Scale (AAIS), Quantity-Frequency Index (QF), close friend drinking level, other friend drinking level, perceived harm due to alcohol use and attitudes toward alcohol--were used. The relationship between adolescent self-drinking and peer alcohol use was found to be reciprocal, complex and limited to close friends. Baseline AAIS predicted follow-up close friend drinking level, but baseline QF Index did not. Baseline close friend drinking level predicted follow-up QF Index but not follow-up AAIS. Normative structure toward alcohol was found to be stable over time and unrelated to baseline self or peer alcohol use. Baseline perceived harm due to alcohol use predicted follow-up QF Index, indicating that adolescents adjust behavior to prior attitudes.