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Influence of grade-level drinking norms on individual drinking behavior
Lisa M Yarnell1, H Shelton Brown, Keryn E Pasch
1University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
American Journal of Health Behavior
|September 5, 2012
Summary
Targeting extreme adolescent drinkers can curb middle school alcohol contagion. Identifying these influential individuals can help prevent widespread underage drinking behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Social psychology
- Adolescent health
- Public health interventions
Background:
- Underage drinking is a significant public health concern among adolescents.
- Understanding the social dynamics of drinking behavior is crucial for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors in the social contagion of middle school drinking.
- To pinpoint influential individuals or behaviors that act as social multipliers.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cohort study of urban middle school students.
- Measurement of drinking intentions and behaviors by gender, school, and grade.
- Analysis of Project Northland Chicago data.
Main Results:
- Extreme drinking intentions and behaviors (80th percentile) significantly influenced individual drinking.
- This influence was mediated by average drinking levels over time.
- Identified extreme drinkers as key social multipliers.
Conclusions:
- Interventions should target extreme drinkers to disrupt social contagion.
- Focusing on high-prevalence individuals can be an effective strategy for middle school alcohol prevention.
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