Toward a typology of drinking occasions: Latent classes of an autumn week's drinking occasions

Abstract

Drinking occasions are important determinants of the quantity and effects of alcohol consumption. We examine the Finnish drinking culture by identifying a typology of typical autumn week's drinking occasions and by determining the central characteristics of drinking occasions that differentiate one occasion from another. The data come from the 2008 Finnish Drinking Habits Survey (n = 2725, response rate 73.6%) on a general population sample aged 15–69 years. A total of 1566 past-week drinkers reported 3120 past-week drinking occasions. Key measurements were the circumstance, location, company, and timing of the drinking occasion. Latent class analysis was used to model the underlying structure of drinking occasions. A typology of drinking occasions consisting of eight-latent classes was identified. Five of these latent classes took place at home: light drinking with family at home (prevalence 30%), non-light drinking with family at home (12%), daytime family meals (6%), alone at home (15%), evenings with friends at home (13%). Three classes took place mainly at licensed premises (prevalence): light drinking out together (9%), out drinking with friends (9%), and heavy drinking parties (5%). The same latent structure of drinking occasions was found to be valid for men and women. The typology indicates the dominance of light-drinking occasions in Finland. Heavy drinking occurs mostly in occasions when friends are present, but also at home, with mainly family present. The study findings indicate that important themes for Finnish alcohol policy include drinking in the presence of children, and attention to restrictions on retail sales of alcohol.