Abstract
The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between structured, unstructured, and family leisure activities on the frequency of adolescent alcohol intake across three different countries (Spain, Peru, and The Netherlands). The self-control of adolescents was also investigated as a moderator in the relationship between leisure activities and alcohol consumption. Methodology: This research involved 4608 adolescents aged between 12 and 17 from three countries (Spain, Peru, and The Netherlands). In Spain and Peru, data was collected through a self-report questionnaire which was part of the Your Life project. In The Netherlands, a self-questionnaire was used, collected by the University of Utrecht. A multiple logistic regression was performed for each country. Results: The results showed that participation in unstructured leisure activities increased the likelihood of drinking more frequently and more heavily in all three countries. Structured leisure activities, in general, did not have a significant predictive effect on alcohol consumption in any of the countries. Family leisure activities reduced the risk of engaging in yearly alcohol use and yearly binge drinking among adolescents, especially in The Netherlands and Spain. The protective effect of family leisure and unstructured leisure risk on yearly alcohol use applied especially to Dutch adolescents with a low level of self-control. Discussion: The article emphasizes the need for parents to engage in leisure activities with their child; participation in unstructured activities is not to be encouraged.
Highlights
Adolescence is a stage in the life cycle in which young people start experimenting with the use of substances, such as the initiation of alcohol consumption
This study investigated the predictive effect of structured (SL), unstructured (UL), and family leisure activities on the frequency of annual alcohol consumption (YAU) and excessive alcohol consumption (YBD) of adolescents in three countries
Family leisure activities only lowered the risk of involvement in yearly and binge drinking among adolescents in The Netherlands and Spain, not in Peru
Summary
Adolescence is a stage in the life cycle in which young people start experimenting with the use of substances, such as the initiation of alcohol consumption. Adolescence is characterized by a period in time where youngsters are not concerned about the consequences of their long-term behavior but are more concerned with the short-term situation [1]. Alcohol consumption is a common risk behavior among adolescents [2], with numerous and serious effects on the lives of young people, which can affect their physical or psychological health [3]. Alcohol consumption (AC) is common among adolescents around the world, often with high levels of consumption [2,4]. 58% of European and Canadian adolescents start experimenting with drinking alcohol before the age of 15. 29% of Spanish adolescents and 26.5% of Dutch adolescents had their first drink before age 13 [5], whereas 50% of the adolescents in South
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