Why Do Adolescents Drink? Motivational Patterns Related to Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Problems

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate motivational patterns for drinking alcohol and their relation about alcohol consumption and problems related to alcohol consumption. Data were collected by semistructured interviews and questionnaires, containing questions about reasons for drinking, alcohol consumption, and problems related to alcohol consumption during the years 2001, 2004, and 2005. Three independent population samples from two different counties of central Sweden were included. A total of 11,167 adolescents participated. Data on reasons for drinking were analyzed by factor analysis to extract components explaining drinking motives. Relationships between motivational patterns and alcohol use were examined with correlation analysis. Three drinking motives emerged (social-enhancement, coping, and dominance motives) and related to alcohol consumption and problems related to alcohol consumption. Limitations of the study are noted and discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

“Pourquoi les adolescents boivent? Modèles motivationels liés à la consommation d’alcool et aux problèmes liés.”

“Cette étude fut conçue afin d’étudier les profils de motivation pour boire de l’alcool, et les relations entre les profils motivationels et la consommation d’alcool et problèmes liés à l’alcool. Des témoignages furent recueillis lors d’un entretien semi-structuré et d’un questionnaire, contenant des questions sur les raisons de la boisson, la consommation d’alcool et les problèmes liés à l’alcool, au cours de l’année 2001, 2004 et 2005. Trois échantillons indépendants de population de deux comtés différents du centre de la Suède furent inclus. Un total de 11,167 adolescents participèrent. Les données furent analysés par l’analyse des facteurs en composantes principales afin d’extraire les composants expliquant les raisons de boire. Les relations entre les profils motivationels et la consommation d’alcool ont été examinés avec une analyse de corrélation. Trois motifs expliquant les raisons de boire émergé (les motifs social-renforcement, d’adaptation et dominance) et liés à la consommation d’alcool et aux problèmes lies.”

RESUMEN

“¿Por qué beben los adolescentes? Patrones motivacionales relacionados al consumo de alcohol y sus problemas.”

“El presente estudio fue diseñado para investigar patrones motivacionales en la bebida de alcohol y su relación con el consumo de alcohol y problemas relacionados. Los datos fueron obtenidos a través de una entrevista semi-estructurada y cuestionarios con preguntas sobre las razones para beber, el consumo de alcohol y los problemas relacionados al alcohol durante los años 2001, 2004 y 2005. Tres poblaciones independientes de muestras de dos condados del centro de Suecia fueron incluidos. Un total de 11,167 adolescentes participaron. Los datos se estudiaron a través de análisis de factores principales para extraer los componentes que explican las razones para beber. Relaciones entre patrones motivacionales y el consumo de alcohol fueron examinadas a través de análisis de correlación. Se encontraron tres motivos para la bebida (afiliación, distracción y dominación) enlazados al consumo de alcohol y problemas relacionados.”

Keywords :

• alcohol
• adolescents
• AUDIT
• drinking motives
• alcohol consumption
• alcohol-related problems

THE AUTHORS

Erika Comasco, M.Sc. in Pharmacy. She is currently a Ph.D. student at Uppsala University, Sweden. Her research interests include psychosocial and biological risk factors for alcohol use and misuse among adolescents.

Lars Oreland, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of pharmacology, Uppsala University since 2007. His research interests have, since the beginning of the 1960s, been directed toward the biological background of personality and psychiatric illness, initially mainly from a biochemical point of view, thereafter also including molecular genetics.

Kent W. Nilsson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, County Council of Västmanland. He has been involved in adolescent psychiatry research with focus on gene–environment interaction in relation misuse, abuse, and criminality. A special interest is comorbidity of psychiatric conditions, alcohol, and substance abuse, which will be investigated in future projects. He is currently engaged in two population studies, one study at a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic and the other at a clinic for alcohol and substance abusing adolescents.