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Adolescents, bush parties and drinking-driving
G Stoduto1, E M Adlaf, R E Mann
1Clinical, Social and Evaluation Research Department, Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Bush party attendance is common among adolescents, with many engaging in drinking and driving. This behavior is linked to factors like substance use and sensation seeking, highlighting a need for community intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Bush parties, defined as outdoor youth gatherings, represent a significant social context for adolescent risk behaviors.
- Understanding the prevalence and associated risks of bush party attendance is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of bush party attendance among adolescents in Ontario.
- To identify predictors of attending bush parties and of driving after consuming alcohol at these events.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1995 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey (OSDUS) for prevalence estimation (n=1,853).
- Employed data from the 1994 Graduated Licensing Study (GLS) to examine predictors of attendance and drinking-driving (n=1,157).
Main Results:
- Bush party attendance was prevalent, with 37.6% (OSDUS) and 38.4% (GLS) of students reporting attendance.
- Among bush party attendees who drank, 16.6% reported driving after drinking; males were 3.5 times more likely to do so.
- Attendance correlated with increased alcohol consumption, tobacco use, alcohol-related problems, driving experience, sensation seeking, and residing in northern areas.
Conclusions:
- Bush party attendance is a widespread phenomenon among adolescents.
- Driving after drinking at bush parties is a common and concerning issue requiring community-based interventions.