Alcohol consumption in adolescents: the predictive role of drinking motives / Consumo de alcohol en adolescentes: el papel predictor de los motivos de consumo

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown differences in the motivational processes that lead to excessive alcohol consumption among adolescents. The paper focuses on the analysis of the reasons for alcohol consumption among minors, and compare the differences according to sex, age, and level of consumption. METHOD: A representative sample (N = 2,865) of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (mean age 14.24, dt = 1.33) was collected. The variables abuse, binge drinking and drinking motives were evaluated using a questionnaire designed ad hoc, which identified the Cooper's four categories of motives. RESULTS: The analyses (ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression) showed that there were no differences between young men and women regarding consumption or binge drinking. Minors who abused alcohol experience consumption as pleasurable in itself, as an important source of intrinsic reinforcement. Conformity predicted the problematic consumption of alcohol among boys and a decrease in the frequency of binge drinking among girls. In addition, the larger group showed more presence of enhancement and social motives. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that it would not be of interest to focus prevention on the negative consequences of consumption, but rather on the training of specific skills

ANTECEDENTES: varios estudios han mostrado diferencias en los procesos motivacionales que llevan al consumo excesivo de alcohol en adolescentes. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar los motivos de consumo de alcohol en menores y sus diferencias según el género, la edad o el grado de consumo. MÉTODO: se recogió una muestra representativa (N = 2865) de adolescentes de 12 a 18 años (edad media 14,24, dt=1.33). Se evaluaron las variables consumo problemático, binge drinking y motivos de consumo mediante un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc, que identificaba las cuatro categorías de motivos de Cooper. RESULTADOS: los análisis (ANOVA, correlación de Pearson y regresión logística) mostraron que no hubo diferencias de género en consumo ni en binge drinking. Los menores que abusaban del alcohol informaron de más presencia de reforzadores de todo tipo, siendo el consumo una fuente importante de reforzamiento intrínseco. La conformidad predijo el consumo problemático del alcohol en varones y disminuyó la frecuencia del binge drinking en chicas; además, el grupo mayor mostró más presencia de los motivos de bienestar y sociales. CONCLUSIONES: el estudio sugiere que no sería de interés centrar la prevención en las consecuencias negativas del consumo, sino en el entrenamiento de habilidades concretas

Alcohol consumption in adolescents: The predictive role of drinking motives.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown differences in the motivational processes that lead to excessive alcohol consumption among adolescents. The paper focuses on the analysis of the reasons for alcohol consumption among minors, and compare the differences according to sex, age, and level of consumption. METHOD: A representative sample (N = 2,865) of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (mean age 14.24, dt = 1.33) was collected. The variables abuse, binge drinking and drinking motives were evaluated using a questionnaire designed ad hoc, which identified the Cooper's four categories of motives. RESULTS: The analyses (ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression) showed that there were no differences between young men and women regarding consumption or binge drinking. Minors who abused alcohol experience consumption as pleasurable in itself, as an important source of intrinsic reinforcement. Conformity predicted the problematic consumption of alcohol among boys and a decrease in the frequency of binge drinking among girls. In addition, the larger group showed more presence of enhancement and social motives. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that it would not be of interest to focus prevention on the negative consequences of consumption, but rather on the training of specific skills.

Consumo de alcohol de los adolescentes en Madrid: la influencia de la identidad étnica latinoamericana y nacional española / Consumption of alcohol in adolescents in Madrid (Spain): influence of ethnic identity Latino and Spanish nationality

El alcohol es la sustancia más consumida por los adolescentes en sus espacios de ocio, y éstos difieren según ciertas categorías sociales. Objetivo. Este trabajo pretende abordar la relación entre identificación étnica latinoamericana y nacional española en el consumo de alcohol de los adolescentes madrileños, incluyendo el análisis de los motivos por los que beben alcohol y las circunstancias de riesgo que viven bajo el uso de esta sustancia. Metodología. Estudio descriptivo inferencial mediante un cuestionario ad hoc auto-administrado a 2890 adolescentes de 12 a 18 años; muestreo estratificado de centros de E.S.O. de Madrid. Resultados. El 7,4% de los adolescentes se identificó como latinoamericano y el 73,4% como español. La identificación como latinoamericano se asoció a mayor motivación para el consumo relacionada con la desinhibición, haberse emborrachado perdiendo el sentido, mayor autopercepción de abuso de alcohol y mayor riesgo en las relaciones sexuales. La identificación como español resultó más frecuente en mujeres que en varones, y no se relacionó con ninguna variable del consumo ni del abuso de alcohol. Las diferencias intersexuales fueron significativas en la edad de inicio al consumo y en la conducta de embriaguez. Conclusiones. Los resultados conducen a considerar las variables culturales y de identificación social en la intervención preventiva para aumentar la eficacia y eficiencia

Alcohol is the substance adolescents consume most in their leisure spaces, and these differ according to special social categories. Aims. This article aims to approach the relationship between ethnic Latino identity and Spanish nationality in alcohol consumption by Madrid adolescents. It includes an analysis of the reasons why they drink alcohol and the risk situations they undergo under this substance. Method. Descriptive inferential study with an ad hoc questionnaire self-administered to 2890 adolescents from 12 to 18 years old; stratified sampling in Ten Educational Centers in Madrid. Results. 7.4% of the adolescents identified themselves as Latin-American, and 73.4% as Spanish. The identification as a Latin-American was associated with a higher motivation for consumption related to lack of inhibition, having been inebriated with loss of consciousness, higher self-perception of alcohol abuse and higher risk in sexual intercourse. Identification as being Spanish was more frequent in women than in men, and was not related to any variable of alcohol consumption or abuse. Intersexual differences in analyzed variables were significant for the age of onset for consumption and alcohol intoxication behavior. Conclusions. Results lead to take into account cultural variables and those related to social identity in preventive intervention to increase efficiency and effectiveness