Abstract
This study reports on the prevalence of harmful alcohol use in a sample of male Australian construction industry apprentices, and also discusses alcohol-related harms. Data was gathered from 108 male construction industry apprentices (predominantly 15-25 years of age). Findings indicate that approximately two thirds (65.7%) of apprentices had an AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) score over 8, which place them in a ‘harmful’ alcohol consumption category. There was a positive correlation between ‘harmful’ alcohol consumption and numerous alcohol-related behavioral harms. Thus, what is clear is that the greater apprentices’ score on the AUDIT test (which measures their harmful alcohol consumption), the more likely it is that they will experience alcohol-related behavioral harms, including missing classes, drunk driving, risky sex, memory loss, poor physical health, expressing verbal, physical and racial abuse, physical injuries, property damage, poly-substance use, relationship difficulties, financial difficulties and dangerous behavior. We can conclude that this is a high risk group for alcohol-related harms, and as such the paper makes suggestions for implementing focused preventive strategies in apprentices training environments and workplaces.
Highlights
Construction industry apprentices are predominatly male between the ages of 15 and 25 years
This study reports on the prevalence of ‘harmful’ alcohol use in a sample of male Australian construction industry apprentices, and discusses the risks and harmful behaviors associated with ‘harmful’ alcohol consumption
Of interest are the specific questions relating to the amount and frequency of consuming alcoholic beverages.With regards to the frequency of consuming alcohol, almost 40% of the 108 apprentices report consuming alcoholic beverages 2-3 times per week, with another 31% consuming alcohol 2-4 times per month
Summary
Construction industry apprentices are predominatly male between the ages of 15 and 25 years. For many young apprentices their period of apprenticeship can coincide with a life stage transition (e.g., including moving out of home; managing money; establishing intimate relationships) [1]. This transition is often not linear, and this period can bring changes that heighten their vulnerabilities and associated risks [1]. This period of transition can correspond with a developmental stage, which may include experimenting with alcohol and drugs, that typically “peaks during the period of mid-to-late adolescence” [2]. For some,consumption of alcohol may become a rite of passage into adulthood [3]
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