Underage Alcohol Consumption Research Articles

TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Zero Alcohol Products and Adolescents: A Tool for Harm Reduction or a Trojan Horse?

IntroductionZero alcohol products (ZAPs) could reduce alcohol-related harms by acting as a substitute for alcoholic beverages. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for these products to expose young people to additional alcohol-related stimuli, further normalising alcohol use and acting as a gateway to underage alcohol consumption. Scarce research has examined whether these concerns are warranted. MethodThis project comprised two parts involving Australian adolescents aged 15-17 years. Part 1 was a series of 5 online focus groups (n=44) that provided initial insights into perceptions of and experiences with ZAPs. Part 2 was a national online survey (n=679) that assessed the generalisability of the focus group findings and identified factors associated with ZAP-related attitudinal and behavioural outcomes. ResultsZAPs were found to be salient and attractive to Australian adolescents. Over a third of surveyed adolescents (37%) had tried ZAPs. The focus group participants and survey respondents generally perceived ZAPs in a positive light, seeing them as a useful alternative to alcohol for both adolescents and adults who want to circumvent social expectations to use alcohol. Some of the study participants acknowledged the potential for ZAPs to serve as a gateway to alcohol use and recommended reducing their visibility and accessibility. ConclusionZAPs are likely exposing minors to additional alcohol-related stimuli potentially increasing their risk of underage alcohol consumption. Regulatory responses to ZAPS need to protect young people from the potential adverse consequences of ZAPs exposure while enabling the products to be used by adults as an alcohol substitute.

Discourses of risk in public health advertising about underage alcohol consumption

Abstract Underage alcohol consumption has been linked to major risks, the practice of which has been linked to parental responsibility and management and a major topic in public health advertising campaigns. The aim of the current study is to investigate how risk discourses are constructed in public health advertisements against underage alcohol consumption. To achieve this aim, I apply the framework of social semiotics to analyse a series of public health campaigns in Australia to understand the construction of risk across multiple meaning-making resources. The analyses of the advertisements provide insights into the choices of semiotic resources to construct multiple perspectives of risk discourses to communicate alcohol-related risks and persuade parents to not supply alcohol to their children. The study opens up new agendas of research, by complementing textual analyses with audience interpretations, to provide deeper insights into how alcohol-related public health advertising is perceived, as well as improve its effectiveness and impact in the real world.

Understanding Underage Alcohol Consumption: Exploring Motivations, Influences, and Impacts Among Students

This research discusses the negative behavior of students in consuming alcoholic drinks. The reason for consuming alcoholic drinks is to maintain solidarity with middle- aged friends and to forget the various problems they are facing. The subjects of this research consisted of 1 primary subject and 3 secondary subjects, the main informant is a class IX C student and supporting informants consist of 2 guidance and counseling teachers and a friend of the main informant who knows the behavior of consuming alcoholic drinks. This research is qualitative phenomenological research. Data collection techniques using interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis technique used was source triangulation. The results of this study show changes in negative behavior in underage students who consume alcoholic drinks starting when the children are under 15 years of age, they consume alcoholic drinks in quiet places. Contributing factors include low self-esteem and the influence of social interactions with friends, family disharmony, low economy and low formal and non-formal education. The effects of this behavior range from having a dizzy head and a faster heartbeat, which can affect poor learning achievement at school. Guidance and Guidance Teachers can provide individual counseling services using Behavioristic techniques

The potential adverse effects of minors' exposure to alcohol-related stimuli via licenced venues: A narrative review.

Young people are particularly impressionable when it comes to forming expectations and attitudes around alcohol consumption. Any stimuli that normalise and foster positive expectations around alcohol use may increase the risk of underage alcohol consumption. Alcohol venues that market themselves as being appropriate 'family friendly' establishments for children risk exposing minors to environments that are saturated with alcohol-related stimuli. However, research examining how exposure to licenced venues affects underage people is very limited. The aim of this narrative review was to identify and synthesise relevant evidence to better understand how attending these venues might affect minors. A narrative review of research published between January 2016 and November 2022 was conducted to investigate the potential effects on underage people of exposure to licenced venues and stimuli encountered in/around these venues. Examined stimuli included alcohol advertising, people consuming alcohol and alcohol outlets. The reviewed literature indicates that the risk of alcohol-related harm among minors is likely to increase with greater exposure to alcohol venues due to the associated exposure to alcohol advertising, exposure to others consuming alcohol and higher outlet density. In combination, these factors are likely to normalise alcohol consumption for minors and create positive alcohol expectancies. Venues serving alcohol should be discouraged from targeting families and parents should be warned about the risks associated with taking minors to venues where alcohol is sold and consumed.

Sociodemographic Influence on Adolescent Alcohol Perception

Despite federal regulation preventing the sale and consumption of alcohol to minors under the age of 21, rates of alcohol use in adolescents remain high. A collection of recent studies have found that demographics such as race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation influence one’s vulnerability to alcohol abuse. The field of knowledge, however, lacked locational data that addressed perceptions towards adolescent alcohol use in specific geographic communities. Focusing specifically on the South Bay, a suburban region in South Los Angeles, filled that niche. Through analyzing similar studies and assessing the feasibility of different approaches to research, a quantitative study that utilized a survey was found to be the most appropriate research design. The survey included three sections: one collecting sociodemographic data, one assessing socio economic status, and one quantifying drinking perception. For distribution, six public and private high schools across the South Bay were contacted through guidance counselors. Between the four schools, 118 survey responses were collected over the course of two weeks. The data collected provides valuable information regarding sociodemographic subpopulation vulnerability to underage alcohol use amongst high school teens in the South Bay. Black students, for instance, had the highest positive perception towards underage drinking when averaged. Students of a high socioeconomic status and members of the LGBTQ community also maintain a high positive perception towards alcohol use. A positive perception towards alcohol alludes to a greater vulnerability of underage alcohol consumption. All three groups could benefit from targeted, preventative measures to combat rates of underage alcohol use.

Alcohol consumptions and prevention of underage alcohol consumption in Pakistan

Alcohol consumption is the serious issue in the Islamic countries especially in Pakistan. In Pakistan alcohol consumption is partially legal and available to non-Muslims at licensed liquor stores and hotel bars. Sales through stores not allowed in the month of Ramazan and on Fridays. But still it has been used in the country by different seller and because of this our youth is getting involved in alcohol addiction. In the current review we highlighted the laws of Pakistan against the alcohol usage and selling. Although alcohol is forbidden in Islam but still in 56% of Muslim countries, the use of alcohol is completely legal, 16% and 8% are the muslin countries where the use of alcohol is partially and conditionally legal respectively. While only in 16% countries are their where there is complete ban on Alcohol (data of 49 countries).Its mean that beside forbidden in Islam, alcohol is been used in many Islamic countries openly, so this may be the main reason that underage use of alcohol consumption has been increased. Underage alcohol consumption may leads to different physicals and mental problems in young generation. So to control the underage alcohol use strict law should be made to control the spread of underage alcohol use.

Characteristics of drinking episodes associated with simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use among underage drinkers in the United States

BackgroundSimultaneous alcohol and cannabis (SAC) use is associated with more negative consequences than independent use of alcohol or cannabis. Contextual characteristics of drinking episodes are associated with the quantity of alcohol consumed and related risk. This study examined whether drinking contexts may also be associated with SAC use. MethodsNational Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2010–2019 data from past 30-day drinkers aged 12–20 (n = 39,456) were used. A weighted multivariable logistic regression model examined associations between contextual characteristics (alcohol source, number of people, drinking location) and SAC use during their most recent drinking occasion. Models adjusted for survey year, heavy episodic drinking, age, sex, race/ethnicity, student status, and metropolitan area status. ResultsMore than one-in-five drinkers reported SAC use. Compared to getting alcohol from parents/family, those who took it from a home (OR = 1.51,95 %CI = 1.24,1.84), got it for free another way (OR = 2.30,95 %CI = 2.05,2.59), paid someone else for it (OR = 2.83,95 %CI = 2.46,3.25), or purchased it themselves (OR = 3.12,95 %CI = 2.66,3.67) had higher odds of SAC use. Compared to drinking alone, drinking with more than one person was associated with higher odds of SAC use (OR = 1.36,95 %CI = 1.12,1.66). Compared to drinking in their home, drinking in a bar (OR = 0.51,95 %CI = 0.41,0.64) had lower odds of SAC use, whereas drinking in someone else’s home (OR = 1.12,95 %CI = 1.02,1.22), a car (OR = 1.36,95 %CI = 1.04,1.77), or multiple locations (OR = 1.29,95 %CI = 1.09,1.53) had higher odds of SAC use. ConclusionsFindings suggest that alcohol-related contextual characteristics are associated with SAC use among underage drinkers. Laws addressing underage alcohol consumption, including social host liability and sales to minors laws, may also decrease simultaneous cannabis use.

Violent Victimization and Violence Perpetration Among American Indian Adolescents.

In the current study, we propose an integrative approach, which will incorporate elements from the social learning and self-control theories of delinquency and crime to examine violence in an understudied, marginalized, and often discriminated subpopulation group-American Indian youth. The analysis is based on survey data collected between 2009 and 2013 from a sample of American Indian adolescents (N = 3,380) enrolled in 27 school districts located in five regions of the United States (Northern Plains, Southwest, Upper Great Lakes, Southeast/Texas, and the Northeast). The main objective of the analysis is to identify the factors more likely to predict violent offending among American Indian adolescents, a vulnerable group that has an elevated risk of violent victimization. Results of the Tobit regression analysis indicate that in both gender groups a low level of self-control, association with delinquent friends, poor school performance, and underage alcohol consumption significantly predict violence perpetration. Nonetheless, experience with direct violent victimization has the largest effect on male and female adolescents' violent behavior. Although living with both biological parents and childhood exposure to domestic violence do not influence significantly the adolescents' aggressive behavior, parental monitoring does have a significant violence-deterrent effect in both gender groups. Findings suggest that more opportunities should be created for indigenous communities to control their education systems and ensure American Indian students achieve academic success, which is one of the violence protective factors identified in this study. Moreover, measures meant to prevent youth violence in American Indian communities should also focus on parents/caregivers who, directly and indirectly, have the capacity to reduce the adolescents' risk of becoming victims and/or perpetrators of violence.

Commentary on Niederdeppe et al. : Alcohol marketing exposure regulation should apply to all.

Adults need to be better informed about their alcohol marketing exposure and risks of drinking, and be protected from the marketing of harmful products so they can make informed decisions and support the protection of future generations from these same marketing practices. Niederdeppe et al. [1] introduce new analytical methods that allow data for adults to be added to the existing literature on how marketing exposure affects underage alcohol consumption. This complements other efforts made internationally and opens a path for research in further countries into adult drinking and marketing exposure. The vast marketing of alcohol described on television alone in a short time period was impressive. The general public is probably unaware of the volume of advertisement they are exposed to, and more efforts should be made to inform and educate them about how marketing in general and alcohol marketing in particular can shape their lives, choices, attitudes, and social norms [2]. Support for regulatory controls would then, hopefully, increase [3]. Marketing during sports programs is of particular interest. Sports are a significant part of the US culture and a way to socialize, within the family and community. Soccer, football, ice hockey, and basketball are all heavily sponsored by beer companies, and beer advertisements are shown frequently on television during each sport's season in the United States and globally. Watching sport is a period of shared entertainment, but it also risks exposing children, youth, and adults to alcohol marketing. This may result in the internalization of norms and habits, leading to increases in drinking across these age groups. Despite this, marketing exposure during sports broadcasts does not contravene the industry's self-regulatory guidelines, which aim to protect children and underage drinkers by prohibiting advertising that appeals primarily to youth [4, 5]. This is because these shared viewing occasions are considered “adult viewing”, because underage drinkers do not form a large portion of the audience. As such, they will not be protected by the guidelines from marketing exposure. It would be interesting to use Niederdeppe et al.’s methods to analyze marketing exposure and drinking following major sporting events. This would hopefully allow us to assess the immediate links between exposure to marketing and drinking intentions, attitudes, and behaviors among children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. It would also have been good to have included 18- to 20-year-olds in the study. Despite being underage drinkers in the United States, these youths are adults under the law and are within the legal age to drink in many other countries. They can also still access the adult content in any media and are therefore “legally” watching all of the TV programs that other adults watch. Because they will soon become legal consumers, this group is a particular target for marketing [6, 7], and it is no coincidence that, for example, alcohol companies sponsor college sports. As such, 18- to 20-year-olds are probably as, or more, exposed to alcohol marketing as the older adults in the study [8]. However, they are also of significant concern as an age group that has an incomplete level of brain development that places them at higher risk of negative consequences from drinking. Although concerns are increasing internationally over marketing in the digital world [9, 10], television remains a very important vehicle of communication globally, particularly in developing countries. Alcohol is like tobacco, and we could all benefit from less marketing of a harmful product. Adults need to be better informed about the risks and protected from the marketing of harmful products, so they can support the protection of future generations from these same marketing practices. We can all stand up to do the right thing if we understand how personal choices are shaped. None. The views expressed by the author are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the Pan American Health Organization

Effect of Monitoring the Compliance of Banning Alcohol Sales to Minors in the Volume of Underage Acute Alcohol Intoxication Cases in Mexico: A Controlled ITSA Analysis

In Mexico, underage alcohol consumption is a major public health problem. Notwithstanding the complex character of alcohol consumption, evidence indicates that enforcing the policies aimed to control the availability of alcohol has produced positive outcomes and has proved to be one of the most cost-effective strategies for curbing consumption, as well as they have succeeded in reducing health and social problems associated to alcohol use. Evaluate the effect of enforcing compliance with minimum-age restrictions for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the number of cases of acute alcohol intoxication in underage population in Mexico. A controlled interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) model was resorted in order to assess the effect of enforcing the ban of alcohol sales to underage individuals at national level in Mexico. The outcome variable was cases of acute alcohol intoxication (F10.0) discharged in emergency services in the group from 10 to 19 years of age. We found a statistically significant drop (16.4%) in the cases of acute alcohol intoxication immediately after the program implementation. This result suggests that monitoring and enforcing strategies to ban alcohol sales to underage individuals can provide an effective tool to reduce the negative outcomes of underage alcohol consumption.

Does Religiosity Delay Adolescent Alcohol Initiation? A Long-Term Analysis (2008–2015) of Nationally Representatives Sample of 12th Graders

Objective: Underage alcohol consumption is associated with deleterious consequences, with earlier initiation leading to increased likelihood of alcohol misuse and dependence later in life. Religiosity represents a protective factor, such that those with increased religiosity delay alcohol initiation. Herein, we test the association between religiosity and alcohol initiation across several distinct national samples of high school seniors in the United States. Method: To assess long-term associations between alcohol initiation and religiosity, we utilized latent growth curve modeling and simple mean plots to conduct a secondary data analysis on 8 years (2008–2015) of the Monitoring the Future Survey (n = 20,099). Results: When compared with the baseline model, which posited a consistent age of initiation of approximately 9th grade χ2 (n = 18,224, df = 31) = 33.70, p <.34, CFI = .000, TLI = 1.00, RMSEA = .006 (90% CI: .00, .017), religiosity plays an equally consistent role in delaying age of initiation by two grade levels, or three calendar years χ2 (n = 17,978, df = 159.116) = 159.17, p<.0001, CFI = .848, TLI = .834, RMSEA = .017 (90% CI: .00, .03). When means were parsed out by religiosity level and gender, religion was a stronger protector against alcohol age of initiation for females than males. These associations were constant over the 8-year period and across multiple nationally representative samples of adolescents. Conclusions: Religiosity delays alcohol initiation for adolescents. Prevention programs should seek to identify which components of religiosity are most impactful, and subsequently develop and incorporate programmatic aspects that leverage these factors.

Family environmental factors associated with underage drinking

ABSTRACTBackground: Alcohol-related health and social problems amongst underage are increasing globally. Most studies have focused on the quality of parental relationships. However, less evidence is available to support the association between alcohol consumption and the birth order or the interaction between siblings. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between underage alcohol consumption and family structure and family relationships.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among schoolchildren in Murcia Region (Southern Spain) (n = 2290) using an anonymous questionnaire delivered in school settings. Statistical analyses used logistic regression to identify independent predictors of alcohol use. Separate analyses were carried out by sexes.Results: About one-third of the 2290 surveyed students (33.2%) reported alcohol consumption, being significantly higher in boys than girls (35.4% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.041). In general, attending second to fourth course of secondary education (grades 7–10 in North America), being a second child, mother with low educational level or working outside home, and having a bad relationship with parents or siblings were associated with higher risk of alcohol consumption.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the complexity of family interactions, including order or birth and quality of relationship with parents and siblings, may impact alcohol consumption in underage population. However, further studies are warranted to confirm and extend our finding, particularly about the order of siblings.

Religious Context Matters: Exploring the Relationship between Religious Context and Underage Alcohol Consumption

Previous research has demonstrated that individual religious beliefs and practices may reduce the likelihood of underage alcohol consumption, but less is known about how the overall religious cultural influence of a religion may influence individual alcohol consumption behaviors. Using multilevel analyses on two waves of the National Study of Youth and Religion merged with county-level variables from the U.S. Census and the Religious Congregations and Membership Study, we find that a county's higher Catholic population share leads to more frequent underage drunkenness even after controlling for a wide range of individual and county-level variables. Contrary to other studies’ findings discovered at individual level, a greater population share of conservative Protestants is also linked with higher level of underage drunkenness. This study highlights the importance of viewing religious influence on health behaviors as a contextual, cultural force.

Activities and Situations When Young Adults Drive Drunk in Rural Montana.

This qualitative study explored activities and situations that often result in young adults driving while under the influence of alcohol in rural Montana. Eleven focus groups were conducted in 8 rural counties across Montana, and 72 persons (50.7% female, 63.4% college students) aged 18 to 25 years old participated. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and narrative text segments were coded independently by 2 researchers. Participants noted a variety of situations specific to rural settings that promoted drunk driving by young adults. Drinking at several types of outdoor activities, such as branding events and festivals, facilitated alcohol consumption in underage youth; drunk driving often followed. Underage youth frequently drank while driving along back roads to avoid detection. Drinking while driving, ie, booze cruising, was thought of as a fun activity and sometimes involved firearms, ie, spotlighting. Driving after drinking was seen as necessary to get home or to other locations. Our findings should be used to inform multifaceted community-wide programs aimed at reducing underage alcohol consumption as well as deterring driving after/while drinking. Interventions could include media campaigns, improving enforcement of DUI and underage drinking laws, providing alternative transportation, and passing additional alcohol control laws.

Social marketing and community mobilisation to reduce underage alcohol consumption in Australia: A cluster randomised community trial

Background and aimsIn many countries adolescent alcohol use is a major health problem. To supplement national policies, it is important to trial community interventions as a potential strategy to prevent adolescent alcohol use. MethodsThis study evaluated a multicomponent community intervention that included community mobilisation, social marketing, and the monitoring of alcohol sales to minors. Evaluation was a clustered randomised trial design with 14 intervention and 14 control communities. Prior to randomisation, communities were matched on socioeconomic status and location. Intervention communities were not blinded. Participants3545 Year 8 students (M = 12 years) were surveyed at baseline from 75 schools; 3377 students were surveyed post intervention in 2013 from 54 schools. OutcomesIt was hypothesised that the primary outcome, individual alcohol consumption in last 30 days, after the intervention would be 15% lower in intervention communities. Secondary outcomes were consumption in the past year and intention not to drink before age 18. ResultsThe intervention communities showed larger relative reductions compared to the controls in last 30-day consumption and past year (10%), but not significantly different. A significantly lower proportion of participants in the intervention community (63%), compared to the controls (71%), reported intending to drink before 18 years old. Subgroup analysis identified regional and state differences for some secondary measures. ConclusionsIntervention assignment was associated with lower adolescent intention to drink before the age of 18. However, more intensive and longer-term intervention may be required to measure significant differences in behaviour change.Trial registration: ACTRN12612000384853.Protocol: Rowland B, Toumbourou JW, Osborn A, et al. BMJ Open 2013;3:e002423. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002423

Using the College Systems Model to Address High-Risk Underage Drinking

This literature review focuses on the use of the College Systems Model will dealing with the complex issue of high-risk underage drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “The consequences of underage drinking can affect everyone regardless of age or drinking status.” Colleges and universities are experiencing the effects of underage drinking in grave numbers. This article also reviews the specifically theoretical etiology of highrisk underage alcohol consumption as it relates to drinking motives and mental health.

Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption and Factors Associated with the Alcohol Use among the Youth of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur

Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth. Also, early initiation of alcohol use (before 14 years of age) is a predictor of impaired health status. A cross-sectional descriptive study using a modified standard questionnaire was conducted among 250 youth of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur. Data was objectively analyzed in SPSS full version 23. Overall, 56% of youth reported current drinking, with male (37.6%) outnumbering female (18.4%). 32.8% of youth were lifetime abstainers while 73.6% of current drinkers were found to drink in the past 30 days. The mean age of initiating drinking alcohol was found to be 17 years. 61.9% were introduced into the alcohol by their friends. Almost half of the respondents (44.7%) drink beer. Female usually drink jaad/chyang, beer and wine whereas male usually drink jaad/chyang, beer, distillery products and mix. Among those who drink in past 30 days, 49.5% reported binge drinking (male 47.6%, female 1.9%). Association of alcohol consumption was found to be highly significant with age group, gender, ethnicity, family history of alcohol use and friend‘s history (p ≤ 0.0001 at CI 95%). Effective intervention strategies addressing the underage drinking need a great focus from community level to center level to prevent underage alcohol consumption.

Alcohol regulation, communication strategies and underage alcohol consumption in Spain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it examines the communication strategies pursued by firms related to alcohol beverages in Spain during a decade with major changes in alcohol marketing regulations. Second, it analyzes the relationship between these strategies and underage alcohol consumption before and after 2007. Design/methodology/approach Panel data methodology is implemented using data from ESTUDES national survey (average sample size 26,000 interviews, 2004-2010) and INFOADEX (nationwide advertising expenditure, 1999-2013). Findings The results show that, under a restrictive alcohol marketing framework, firms related to alcohol beverages adapt their communication strategies: budget deviation from advertising to sponsorship. Regarding alcohol quantity and frequency models, the relationship between alcohol advertising expenditure and underage alcohol consumption after 2007 is very small but still positive and significant. However, contrary to expectations, in the case of alcohol sponsorship, the relationship between expenditure and underage alcohol consumption has not been affected by the observed budget deviation from advertising to sponsorship after 2007. Research limitations/implications Changes in alcohol advertising and sponsorship regulation lead firms related to alcohol beverages to change their communication strategies to overcome new regulatory restrictions and to reach their target group. Overall, despite the relationships between both advertising and sponsorship expenditure and underage alcohol consumption diminish between periods, they still remain positive and significant. Closer and updated monitoring of alcohol communication strategies pursued by firm is needed to keep controlling the alcohol advertising and sponsorship exposure to under age people. Originality/value This is a pioneer study in analyzing communication strategies within the Spanish alcohol beverages sector and in proposing a model to analyze the dynamic effect of such strategies on underage alcohol consumption.

Implicit and Explicit Alcohol Cognitions: The Moderating Effect of Executive Functions.

Aims Research informed by dual-process models of addictions has clearly demonstrated an association between implicit and explicit alcohol-related cognitions and alcohol consumption. However, the literature is limited with respect to examination of the cognitive abilities that may moderate these associations across populations. This study examined relations among alcohol associations, inhibition and alcohol consumption in a sample of college students. It was hypothesized that the executive ability of response inhibition would moderate relations between alcohol-related cognitions and alcohol consumption, such that individuals with weaker response inhibition would demonstrate stronger relations between implicit cognitions and use, while individuals with stronger response inhibition would demonstrate more robust relations between explicit cognitions and use. Methods Research participants ( N = 205, age 19.0 years (standard deviation = 1.1)) mostly female ( n = 150, 73.2%) completed two implicit association tasks measuring alcohol-related positive/arousal and relaxation associations. In addition, participants completed questionnaires regarding alcohol expectancies, alcohol consumption and problems, and various measures of inhibition. We tested study hypotheses using structural equation modeling and probed significant interactions using simple slope analyses. Results We found support for a moderating effect of response inhibition on relations between implicit relaxation associations and alcohol consumption. We did not find a moderating effect of working memory capacity on relations between alcohol-related associations and use. Conclusions Findings from this study further our understanding of differential cognitive and inhibition factors that contribute to underage alcohol consumption with implications for preventive interventions to reduce alcohol misuse and consequences. Short summary We investigated whether the effect of implicit and explicit alcohol associations on alcohol consumption was moderated by response inhibition and working memory among college students. Response inhibition moderated the effect of implicit relaxation associations on consumption. We did not obtain support for moderation by working memory, or of explicit associations.

Underage drinking: does the minimum age drinking law offer enough protection?

Underage drinking is a significant problem in the US. It is responsible for several thousand mortalities and fatalities each year, both among minors and other members of society. Additionally, underage alcohol consumption produces a severe economic burden in the US. Introduction to alcohol in youth poses serious long-term risks for adolescents, including occupational, educational, and psychosocial impairments, and increases the risk for developing alcohol abuse disorders in adulthood. In order to address and mitigate this problem, the US has set a minimum age drinking law of 21 in all 50 states, and has implemented several supplementary laws limiting the possession and consumption of alcohol. Though these laws have successfully reduced underage drinking, several additional strategies are noteworthy, including preventative and intervention efforts incorporating environmental, individual, communal, and parental factors. The following literature review describes these concepts as they relate to underage drinking laws in the US. Directions for future research, interventions, and ongoing challenges related to the minimum drinking age in the US are also discussed.