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Drinking Buddies: Who Are They and When Do They Matter?
Cathy Lau-Barraco1, Ashley N Linden1
1Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University.
Addiction Research & Theory
|November 28, 2014
Summary
Peer influence on young adult drinking is moderated by perceived norms. The study found that "drinking buddies" impact alcohol use more when individuals perceive fewer peers drinking, highlighting the role of descriptive norms.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Peer influence is a significant factor in young adult alcohol consumption.
- The role of specific peer subgroups, such as "drinking buddies," requires further investigation.
- Normative perceptions may moderate the impact of peer influence on alcohol-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the influence of "drinking buddies" on young adults' alcohol use and problems.
- To investigate whether normative perceptions moderate the relationship between drinking buddies and alcohol outcomes.
- To descriptively characterize "drinking buddies" and differentiate them based on the user's drinking habits.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to 250 college students assessing alcohol use, problems, injunctive norms, descriptive norms, and social network characteristics.
- Analysis focused on the moderating role of descriptive norms in the association between drinking buddies and alcohol outcomes.
- Descriptive statistics were used to characterize drinking buddies.
Main Results:
- Descriptive norms significantly moderated the relationship between drinking buddies and all assessed alcohol outcomes.
- The impact of drinking buddies on alcohol use was stronger for individuals with lower perceptions of peer drinking prevalence.
- Drinking buddies were characterized as close, supportive moderate social drinkers, with differences noted between those of heavy versus non-heavy drinkers.
Conclusions:
- Perceived descriptive norms play a crucial role in moderating peer influence on young adult alcohol consumption.
- "Drinking buddies" are a distinct peer group whose influence is contingent on individuals' perceptions of their social environment.
- Understanding these nuanced peer dynamics is vital for developing targeted interventions to reduce risky drinking behaviors.
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