Drinking beliefs and behaviors among Irish adolescents

Drinking beliefs and behaviors were investigated in a survey of 2,700 Irish postprimary students. Overall, 47% of the students reported drinking within the month prior to the survey. Drinking was most frequent among older students and males. A regression analysis indicated that perceived peer drinking was the primary predictor of current alcohol use. Smoking and involvement with other problem behaviors were also important, and parental disapproval had a small effect. This pattern of results is similar to that found in other countries and provides evidence for the applicability of social learning and problem behavior theories to an understanding of adolescent drinking in another cultural context.