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Updated: May 4, 2026

The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans
Published on: April 28, 2022
[What motivates smoking and alcohol drinking of young people? A behavioural epidemiologic study]
Bettina Pikó1, Szabolcs Varga2
1Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Magatartástudományi Intézet Szeged Szentháromság u. 5. 6722.
Introduction:
Adolescence is a life period of trying harmful habits. It is helpful for prevention to map youth's motivations.
Aim:
The main goal of the present study was to investigate high school students' motivations related to alcohol and cigarette use.
Method:
A questionnaire survey was performed in Debrecen including students from four high schools (n = 501; age range, between 14 and 22 years; mean age, 16.4 years; 34% boys and 66% girls). Beyond descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis was used to detect odds ratios explaining relationships between substance use and motivations.
Results:
Besides a slight difference in gender, there were significant differences by substance user status in the structure of motivations. In case of alcohol use, social motivation proved to be a predictor. In case of cigarette smoking, besides social motivation, boredom relief and affect regulation (coping) were also significant.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that young people start to smoke cigarette and drink alcohol in social situations due to peer pressure. Therefore, prevention strategies should be built on social skills training.
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