Ecology of Sipping Alcohol in Early Adolescence

Sipping alcohol during adolescence is a risk factor for later alcohol-related outcomes, but relatively little is known about the context in which sipping occurs. Prior work has primarily examined parental supply of alcohol or sipping as a dichotomous variable without considering the potential heterogeneity in early sipping experiences. Contextual variables related to sipping alcohol may act as important moderators for later risk.

This study examined the ecology of sipping alcohol in a community sample of early adolescents (n = 260, mean age = 11.93). Lifetime sipping, contextual variables related to the first sip experience, sipping with/and or without parental permission, and future intentions to use alcohol were examined.

40% of adolescents in this sample reported ever sipping alcohol and 62.5% of these adolescents reported sipping alcohol with parental permission only. Sipping without permission appeared to primarily involve accidental rather than intentional sipping. Most commonly, sipping occurred at social gatherings in the adolescent's or someone else's home, and the alcoholic beverage belonged to a parent, but adolescents reported sipping alcohol in a variety of heterogeneous contexts. Contextual variables generally did not differ across those who sipped with versus without permission, but subsequent sipping behavior did, with adolescents who sipped both with and without permission most likely to be offered or ask for future sips. Consistent with prior work, adolescents who had sipped reported higher future intentions to use alcohol.

It is important to educate parents about the risks associated with allowing sipping, as they appear to be the primary drivers of early sipping behavior. The prevalence of accidental sipping warrants further research and may indicate the need for supervision of children and adolescents in contexts where alcohol is available.