 |
|
Why do high school seniors drink?
December 04, 2007Most high school seniors drink because they want to experiment with alcohol, some drink for the thrill of it, and others because it helps them relax. A new study finds that a fourth group of high school students share all those reasons for drinking, but they also drink to get away from problems and to deal with anger or frustration issues.
Kids with multiple reasons to drink, including reasons related to coping with life, show the heaviest and most problematic drinking behaviors, according to the study published in the December issue of Prevention Science, a peer-reviewed journal of the Society for Prevention Research. The data for the study came from 1,877 students from the national Monitoring the Future survey conducted annually.
"Our study found that for the graduating class of 2004, students who had multiple reasons to drink, including reasons related to coping, were also more likely to begin drinking at an earlier age, more likely to be drunk in the past year and more likely to drink before 4:00 pm, compared to students who drank to experiment with alcohol, to experience the thrill of drinking or just to relax," according to Donna Coffman, Ph.D., of Penn State.
"It is important to know why high school seniors drink so parents, teachers and high school counselors can pay special attention to the needs of the small but high-risk group of seniors who offer multiple reasons for drinking and who also have anger or frustration issues. Research shows that drinking patterns established during adolescence are likely to continue through adulthood," according to Coffman.
More than three-quarters of high school seniors have already experimented with alcohol, so it is too late to tell them 'not to drink,' or ask them to wait until they are of legal age. Kids who drink to help them deal with anger or frustration issues are not likely to benefit from a prevention program developed for kids who are just experimenting with alcohol, Coffman said.
Coffman and her colleague Lori Palen, also from Penn State, said the purpose of their study was to identify the major motivations for drinking, find out if the motivations were different for boys and girls, and understand how the different motivations for drinking among boys and girls were related to drinking initiation, frequency of drunkenness and daytime drinking.
"Boys were more likely to belong to the higher-risk group of thrill seekers, while girls were more likely to belong to the lowest level of risky drinking, the experimenters. Both boys and girls who drank just to experiment with alcohol were also more likely to initiate drinking at a later age, compared to those who drank for other reasons" Coffman said.
Compared to the experimenters, boys who reported drinking before 4 p.m.were eight times more likely to belong to the highest-risk group that drank for multiple reasons; girls who drank before 4 p.m. were six times more likely to belong to the group that drank for multiple reasons.
Coffman said that their study looked at a representative sample of one graduating class. "We cannot say our results apply to all graduating classes after 2004, but the findings should certainly be useful to educators, prevention experts and parents."
Previous studies have found that alcohol use reaches its peak level during and immediately after high school graduation. It remains high through the age of 25, "that is why the senior year of high school is a critical point for which to understand the motives for drinking and to establish healthier alcohol use behaviors," Coffman said.
Society for Prevention Research
"It is important to know why high school seniors drink so parents, teachers and high school counselors can pay special attention to the needs of the small but high-risk group of seniors who offer multiple reasons for drinking and who also have anger or frustration issues. Research shows that drinking patterns established during adolescence are likely to continue through adulthood," according to Coffman.
More than three-quarters of high school seniors have already experimented with alcohol, so it is too late to tell them 'not to drink,' or ask them to wait until they are of legal age. Kids who drink to help them deal with anger or frustration issues are not likely to benefit from a prevention program developed for kids who are just experimenting with alcohol, Coffman said.
Coffman and her colleague Lori Palen, also from Penn State, said the purpose of their study was to identify the major motivations for drinking, find out if the motivations were different for boys and girls, and understand how the different motivations for drinking among boys and girls were related to drinking initiation, frequency of drunkenness and daytime drinking.
"Boys were more likely to belong to the higher-risk group of thrill seekers, while girls were more likely to belong to the lowest level of risky drinking, the experimenters. Both boys and girls who drank just to experiment with alcohol were also more likely to initiate drinking at a later age, compared to those who drank for other reasons" Coffman said.
Compared to the experimenters, boys who reported drinking before 4 p.m.were eight times more likely to belong to the highest-risk group that drank for multiple reasons; girls who drank before 4 p.m. were six times more likely to belong to the group that drank for multiple reasons.
Coffman said that their study looked at a representative sample of one graduating class. "We cannot say our results apply to all graduating classes after 2004, but the findings should certainly be useful to educators, prevention experts and parents."
Previous studies have found that alcohol use reaches its peak level during and immediately after high school graduation. It remains high through the age of 25, "that is why the senior year of high school is a critical point for which to understand the motives for drinking and to establish healthier alcohol use behaviors," Coffman said.
Society for Prevention Research
Drinking Current Events and Drinking News RSSSmoking, but not past alcohol abuse, may impair mental function
Men and women with a history of alcohol abuse may not see long-term negative effects on their memory and thinking, but female smokers do, a new study suggests.
New imaging technology brings trace chemicals into focus
Arizona State Univeristy scientist N.J. Tao and his colleagues at the Biodesign Institute have hit on a new, versatile method to significantly improve the detection of trace chemicals important in such areas as national security, human health and the environment.
R-rated movies increase likelihood of underage children trying alcohol
R-rated movies portray violence and other behaviors deemed inappropriate for children under 17 year of age. A new study finds one more reason why parents should not let their kids watch those movies: adolescents who watch R-rated movies are more likely to try alcohol at a young age.
Critical Recommendations Unveiled to Respond to National Public Health Crisis: Deep-Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
Three critical recommendations from a national workshop have been released to address deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), a growing public health problem estimated to affect nearly 1 million Americans each year.
Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days, according to new research conducted at the University of Washington.
Road salt and cars produce extreme water contamination in Frenchman's Bay, UTSC research reveals
The levels of contamination to water and sediment in Frenchman's Bay in Pickering, Ontario greatly exceed provincial water quality standards, in some cases by as much as 250 per cent, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Pesticide atrazine can turn male frogs into females
Atrazine, one of the world's most widely used pesticides, wreaks havoc with the sex lives of adult male frogs, emasculating three-quarters of them and turning one in 10 into females, according to a new study by University of California, Berkeley, biologists.
Genetically engineered tobacco plant cleans up environmental toxin
Tobacco might become as well known for keeping us healthy as it is for causing illness thanks to researchers from the U.K.
Arsenic exposure activates an oncogenic signaling pathway; leads to increased cancer risk
Researchers have found a new oncogenic signaling pathway by which the environmental toxin arsenic may lead to adverse health effects, including bladder cancer.
Stanford review finds painfully few surefire treatments for muscle cramps
Most cases of muscle cramps never get reported to public health authorities, so it's difficult to say how common they are.
More Drinking Current Events and Drinking News Articles
 |
Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp (Author) A journalist describes her twenty years as a functioning alcoholic, explaining how she used alcohol to escape the realities of life and personal relationships, until a series of personal crises forced her to confront her problem. Reprint. 90,000 first printing." |
 |
The Easy Way to Stop Drinking by Allen Carr (Author) Carr offers a startling new view of why we drink and how we can escape the addiction. Step by step, with devastating clarity and simplicity, he applies the Easyway™ method, dispelling all the illusions that surround the subject of drinking and that can make it almost impossible to imagine a life without alcohol. Only when we step away from all these supposed pleasures and understand how we are being duped to believe we are receiving real benefits can we begin to live our lives free from any desire or need for drinking. The Easyway™ method centers on removing the psychological need to drink—while the drinker is still drinking. Following the Easyway™:• You will not need willpower• You will not feel deprived• You will lose your fear of withdrawal pangs• You will enjoy social... |
 |
Mardi Gras Drinking Helmet Adult by Forum Novelties Inc You won't have to get thirsty while you watch the parades with this Mardi Gras drinking helmet. Includes a purple plastic baseball style hat with "Celebrate Mardi Gras The Drinks on Me!" message on the front, a drink holder on each side and attached tubes so you can have your drink and keep your hands free for catching the beads! Hat measures approximately 10" long x 12" wide x 7" high. Available in one size fits most. Beverages not included. Fill with the beverage of your choice. |
 |
John N. Hansen Wooden Timber Puzzle Drinking Game by JNH A new drinking game just came in to town--introducing the Booze Tower. The objective of this game is simple. DO NOT LET THE TOWER FALL!!! This fun drinking game plays like the popular wood tower stacking game; only this version is for adults only! Every block has a consequence you need to perform and failure to do so will result in more drinking! Comes with 4 shot glasses, shot glasses container, stacking support, and game instructions. Are you ready for the Booze Tower challenge? Guaranteed fun for two or more adult players. |
 |
Green Drinking Hat Can Helmet Green Helmet by Can You Imagine The Drinking Helmet is a necessity for the thirsty. Whether it's the backyard, at the beach or in the parking lot, there are a multitude of ways to utilize your perfect Drinking Tool. |
 |
The Joy of Drinking by Barbara Holland (Author) With characteristic elegance and delicious wit, Barbara Holland, (“a national treasure,”—Philadelphia Inquirer) celebrates the age-old act of drinking in this gimlet-eyed survey of man’s relationship with booze, since the joyful discovery, ten thousand years ago, of fermented fruits and grains. In this spirited paean to alcohol, two parts cultural history, one part personal meditation, Holland takes readers on a bacchanalian romp through the Fertile Crescent, the Mermaid Tavern, Plymouth Rock, and Capitol Hill and reveals, as Faulkner famously once said, how civilization indeed begins with fermentation. Filled with tasty tidbits about distillers, bootleggers, taverns, hangovers, and Alcoholics Anonymous, The Joy of Drinking is a fascinating portrait of the world of pleasures... |
 |
Everyday Drinking: The Distilled Kingsley Amis by Kingsley Amis (Author), Christopher Hitchens (Introduction) A gift for anyone who loves good liquor and high-proof prose: a collection of hilarious and deeply informed writings about drink from one of the all-time authorities. Kingsley Amis was one of the great masters of comic prose, and no subject was dearer to him than the art and practice of imbibing. This new volume brings together the best of his three out-of-print works on the subject. Along with a series of well-tested recipes (including a cocktail called the Lucky Jim) the book includes Amis’s musings on The Hangover, The Boozing Man’s Diet, What to Drink with What, and (presumably as a matter of speculation) How Not to Get Drunk—all leavened with fun quizzes on the making and drinking of alcohol all over the world. Mixing practical know-how and hilarious opinionation, this is a... |
 |
RSVP Set of 4 Drinking Straws 18/10 S/S New by RSVP Our set of four drink straws are made of polished stainless steel and are ideal for cold summer beverages and dinner party cocktails. 8-1/2" overall length. Dishwasher safe. #SIP-4 |
 |
Beer Pong Drinking Glove ~ Has Been Known To Improve Your Game By 3 Cups by 2Bhip |
 |
Utterly Outrageous Drinking Games Tin by The Lagoon Group Utterly outrageous and incredibly fun, this drinking games party set covers 25 unique drinking games including...mutation, pucker up, bump and grind, drag queen, kingpin (beer pong), the probe, and more! Comes packaged in assorted colors in a bottle shaped tin gift box. Included 25 drinking game rule cards, 1 ribbon, playing cards, straws, beer pong ball, dice, and full instructions. |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |