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Individual Popularity, Peer Group Popularity Composition and Adolescents' Alcohol Consumption
Rob Gommans1,2, Christoph M Müller3, Gonneke W J M Stevens4
1Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.gommans@uu.nl.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|November 17, 2016
Summary
Popularity matters for adolescent drinking. Popular teens drink more, especially when their classmates are less popular, highlighting peer group influence on alcohol consumption.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Previous research links adolescent popularity to increased alcohol consumption.
- The influence of peer group dynamics and relative popularity on drinking behaviors requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between peer group popularity composition and adolescent drinking.
- To investigate if the relative popularity difference between adolescents and their peers relates to alcohol consumption.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 800 adolescents (aged ~14.7) from 31 classrooms.
- Collected peer ratings of popularity and self-reported alcohol consumption data.
Main Results:
- Adolescent drinking was higher among popular individuals compared to unpopular ones.
- Popular adolescents in less popular peer groups reported higher alcohol consumption.
- Classrooms with greater popularity variability showed lower overall adolescent drinking.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent drinking is associated with individual popularity and the popularity structure of the peer group.
- Peer group composition, not just individual status, is crucial for understanding adolescent alcohol use and related health risks.
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