Development Of Alcohol-related Problems Research Articles

Alcohol consumption debut: predictors and consequences.

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of the timing of alcohol consumption debut and to analyze possible associations between the timing of debut and later alcohol consumption and possible alcohol-related problems. A population sample of 465 adolescents (249 girls) from the greater Oslo area was followed up through five data collections over a 6-year span. By means of generalized structural equation modeling--accommodating survival variables--parental and friends' influences on debut age were estimated. Further, the consequences of the age of debut on subsequent alcohol consumption and alcohol problems were studied, taking other influences into consideration. In particular, possible gender differences were investigated. The mean age for alcohol consumption debut was 14.8 years. The age of alcohol debut had an independent effect on both future alcohol consumption and the development of alcohol-related problems, and the effects were invariant across sex. According to the estimated model, a 10% delay in debut age will lead to a 35% decrease in subsequent expected alcohol consumption. Alcohol debut was an excellent predictor of subsequent alcohol consumption and alcohol problems. The strong preventive implication is that interventions should be implemented in order to postpone alcohol debut age. A weak implication is that preventive measures should be implemented for the early onset drinkers. Further, it seems to be important to give high priority to more thorough studies on the exact nature of the relationships we have investigated here.

Evaluation of a Drinking and Parenting Educational Program in Six Ontario Communities

An eight session program of alcohol education for parents developed by the U. S. National Council on Alcohol Education was field tested by staff of the Addiction Research Foundation in six Western Ontario communities in 1981. The program, entitled “Decisions and Drinking: The Power of Positive Parenting,” consists of a series of structured learning experiences for parents of young children. Its purpose is to prevent the development of alcohol-related problems in young children by instructing their parents regarding the importance of role-modelling, decision-making, and parental alcohol use. The evaluation was focussed on the effects of the program on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the participants with respect to parenting and alcohol use. It was found that the program increased the alcohol knowledge of participants, and influenced their attitudes toward parenting in an undesirable direction. Difficulties in field-testing and implications for further evaluation or program implementation are discussed.