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Perceived interpersonal pressure and drinking behavior in South China
Liang Zhou1, Guanbai Zhang, Hongxing Hu
1School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|November 28, 2012
Summary
Perceived interpersonal pressure is a valid measure linked to heavy drinking occasions and repeated intoxication in China. This social pressure influences specific drinking behaviors, not overall heavy drinking frequency.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Interpersonal pressure to drink may be a unique cultural phenomenon in China.
- This study assesses a measurement for perceived interpersonal pressure and its link to drinking behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the reliability and validity of a perceived interpersonal pressure scale.
- Examine the relationship between perceived interpersonal pressure and various drinking behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1027 community residents in China.
- Data collected via face-to-face interviews.
- Assessed perceived interpersonal pressure using a six-item scale and measured overall heavy drinking, large quantity drinking, and repeat intoxication.
Main Results:
- The perceived interpersonal pressure scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α=0.81, test-retest ICC=0.796).
- Higher pressure reported by males, younger individuals, employed, married, and higher-income participants.
- Perceived interpersonal pressure was an independent risk factor for large quantity drinking (OR=4.69) and repeated intoxication (OR=3.44), but not overall heavy drinking (OR=1.54).
Conclusions:
- The measurement of perceived interpersonal pressure is reliable and valid.
- Perceived interpersonal pressure is significantly associated with large quantity drinking and repeated intoxication.
- No significant correlation was found between perceived interpersonal pressure and overall heavy drinking.
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