Related Experiment Videos
Drinking attitudes and practices among Wind River Reservation Indian youth
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|March 1, 1975
Summary
American Indian adolescents on the Wind River Reservation approve of and engage in drinking, despite potential legal consequences for underage alcohol use. This study examines adolescent attitudes toward drinking in this specific demographic.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Indigenous Studies
Background:
- Adolescent substance use is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding cultural and environmental factors influencing drinking behaviors among American Indian youth is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attitudes toward alcohol consumption among 7th and 8th-grade American Indian students.
- To explore the prevalence and perceptions of drinking within this adolescent cohort on the Wind River Reservation.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study was conducted with 7th and 8th-grade students.
- Data collection focused on attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding alcohol use.
Main Results:
- The study found that both the adolescents and their peers generally approve of drinking.
- Adolescents reported engaging in drinking behaviors, acknowledging the risks of illegal alcohol use.
Conclusions:
- Despite awareness of potential trouble, adolescent drinking is prevalent and accepted within this group.
- Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions addressing underage drinking among American Indian youth.