Emily Kaner1, Sabrina Islam2, Sharon Lipperman-Kreda3. 1. Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 601, Berkeley, California 94704, USA. Electronic address: ekaner@prev.org. 2. Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 601, Berkeley, California 94704, USA; School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94704, USA. 3. Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 601, Berkeley, California 94704, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Adolescent initiation of drinking and intoxication is associated with concurrent and later problems among adolescents. This study explores the mechanisms by which the context of close friendships is important to adolescents' decisions to initiate drinking and heavy alcohol use. METHODS: In-depth face-to-face qualitative interviews were conducted online with 50 adolescents (12-16 years) who reported lifetime drinking. These semi-structured interviews allowed adolescents to describe their first experiences with drinking, reflecting on their social and environmental contexts, decision-making process, and expectations. We conducted a thematic analysis of the narratives, which revealed the nuances of social relationships and trusting peers and their impacts on alcohol use initiation patterns. RESULTS: In contrast to common perceptions of peer pressure, youth described decision-making about alcohol that was influenced by feelings of safety and security produced by close relationships. Specifically, social relationships, especially the presence of close friends, influenced decisions to initiate alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that close peer relationships enhanced feelings of safety even while engaging in risky behaviors. These results suggest the importance of understanding the complex relationships between social contexts, close friendships, and perceived trust and can inform future research and interventions on alcohol prevention or delayed initiation among adolescents.
PURPOSE: Adolescent initiation of drinking and intoxication is associated with concurrent and later problems among adolescents. This study explores the mechanisms by which the context of close friendships is important to adolescents' decisions to initiate drinking and heavy alcohol use. METHODS: In-depth face-to-face qualitative interviews were conducted online with 50 adolescents (12-16 years) who reported lifetime drinking. These semi-structured interviews allowed adolescents to describe their first experiences with drinking, reflecting on their social and environmental contexts, decision-making process, and expectations. We conducted a thematic analysis of the narratives, which revealed the nuances of social relationships and trusting peers and their impacts on alcohol use initiation patterns. RESULTS: In contrast to common perceptions of peer pressure, youth described decision-making about alcohol that was influenced by feelings of safety and security produced by close relationships. Specifically, social relationships, especially the presence of close friends, influenced decisions to initiate alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that close peer relationships enhanced feelings of safety even while engaging in risky behaviors. These results suggest the importance of understanding the complex relationships between social contexts, close friendships, and perceived trust and can inform future research and interventions on alcohol prevention or delayed initiation among adolescents.
Authors: Hilary F Byrnes; Brenda A Miller; Beth Bourdeau; Mark B Johnson; David B Buller; Julia Berteletti; Veronica A Rogers Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2019-07 Impact factor: 2.582