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The alcohol warning and adolescents: 5-year effects
D P MacKinnon1, L Nohre, M A Pentz
1Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1104, USA. davidpm@asu.edu
American Journal of Public Health
|October 13, 2000
Summary
The alcohol warning label initially increased adolescent awareness, but these effects plateaued. The warning did not change alcohol consumption or driving after drinking behaviors in teens.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Abuse Prevention
Background:
- Mandatory alcohol warning labels were implemented to influence adolescent behavior.
- Previous research indicated initial awareness effects of these labels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the long-term impact of alcohol warning labels on adolescents over five years.
- To assess awareness, exposure, recognition, beliefs, consumption, and driving behaviors related to alcohol warning labels.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal survey study of 10th and 12th graders (n=32,517) from 1989-1995.
- Assessed warning label awareness, exposure, recognition, risk beliefs, alcohol consumption, and driving after drinking.
Main Results:
- Adolescent awareness, exposure, and recognition of the alcohol warning label increased initially.
- These positive effects on awareness plateaued approximately 3.5 years post-implementation.
- No significant changes were observed in adolescent beliefs about alcohol risks, consumption patterns, or self-reported driving after drinking.
Conclusions:
- The sustained impact of alcohol warning labels on adolescent awareness diminishes over time, aligning with theories of habituation to persuasive messages.
- Alcohol warning labels have not demonstrated effectiveness in altering adolescent beliefs or behaviors regarding alcohol consumption or impaired driving.