Outlet Density as a Predictor of Alcohol Use in Early Adolescence

Abstract

Introduction: Recent national youth surveys suggest that alcohol availability plays a role in determining use. One measure of availability receiving recent attention is outlet density; however, few studies have examined the effects of outlet density in younger populations. Methods: Data were collected from a national sample of the United States (N = 5,903) followed between 6th and 8th grades, as part of a study funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Measures of outlet density were also acquired. Results: Students in high off-site density communities increased their alcohol use; however, students attending schools in low outlet density communities had higher initial levels of alcohol use that remained relatively stable. Discussion: The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

La densité des établissements commerciaux comme prédicteur de la consommation d'alcool en début de l'adolescence

Introduction: De récentes enquêtes nationales de la jeunesse suggèrent que la disponibilité de l'alcool joue un rôle dans la détermination de l'utilisation. Une mesure de la disponibilité d'une attention récente est la densité de points de vente, mais peu d’études ont examiné les effets de la densité des points de vente dans des populations plus jeunes. Méthodes: Les données ont été recueillies auprès d'un échantillon national des États-Unis (N = 5,903) suivie entre la 6e et la 8e année, dans le cadre d'une étude financée par le OJJDP. Mesures de la densité des points de vente ont également été acquis. Résultats: Les étudiants dans les communautés avec une forte densité de hors-site des établissements de vente au détail ont augmenté leur consommation d'alcool, mais les étudiants qui fréquentent les écoles dans les communautés à faible densité de l'extérieur du site des établissements de vente au détail avaient des niveaux initiaux de consommation d'alcool qui est demeurée relativement stable. Discussion: Les implications et les limites de ces résultats sont discutées.

RESUMEN

Densidad de establecimientos comerciales como un factor de predicción del consumo de alcohol en la adolescencia temprana

Introducción: Recientes encuestas nacionales de juventud sugieren que la disponibilidad de alcohol juega un papel en la determinación de su uso. Una medida de la disponibilidad de recibir atención reciente es la densidad de establecimientos comerciales, sin embargo, pocos estudios han examinado los efectos de la densidad de establecimientos comerciales en las poblaciones más jóvenes. Métodos: Se recogieron datos de una muestra nacional de los EE.UU. (N = 5,903) seguido del 6 al 8 º grado, como parte de un estudio financiado por la OJJDP. Las medidas de la densidad de establecimientos comerciales también fueron adquiridas. Resultados: Los estudiantes en comunidades de alta densidad fuera del lugar aumentaron su consumo de alcohol, sin embargo, los estudiantes que asisten a escuelas en comunidades de baja densidad-salida tenían mayores niveles iniciales de consumo que se mantuvo relativamente estable. Discusión: Las implicaciones y limitaciones de estos hallazgos se discuten.

Keywords :

• alcohol
• outlet density
• availability
• perceived availability
• youth

THE AUTHORS

Dr. Shamblen is a Researcher at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), trained as a social psychologist with a heavy focus in quantitative methods. Dr. Shamblen has been involved in numerous evaluations of school-based and environmental-strategy-based substance abuse prevention programs. His primary interests involve examining the efficacy of various secondary data indicators as measures of need for prevention funding.

Dr. Harris is an Associate Research Scientist at the PIRE—Louisville Center. Dr. Harris received her Ph.D. in health communication from the University of Kentucky in 2006 with concentration areas in Psychology and Statistics. Her areas of expertise are in health message development and testing, development and evaluation of school-based and community-based substance use interventions, evaluation of treatment programs, and cultural and evidence-based adaptation of programs and interventions.

Dr. Ringwalt is a Program Evaluator at PIRE's Chapel Hill Center, NC, and has studied the dissemination of school-based drug prevention curricula.

Dr. Flewelling is a Senior Research Scientist at PIRE's Chapel Hill Center, NC. His research interests focus primarily on epidemiological studies of substance abuse and related health risk behaviors, evaluation of school- and community-based prevention strategies, state and community needs assessment studies, and the application of research findings to prevention system development and planning.

Dr. Clark received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri—Kansas City, and is an Associate Research Scientist at the PIRE's Chapel Hill Center, NC. She works on several types of program evaluations, including school-based substance use prevention, integrated physical and mental health, and Safe Schools/Healthy Students projects. Her research interests include prevention of child and adolescent risk behaviors, child and adolescent mental health, and professional development.

Mr. Hanley is a Research Associate at the PIRE. His research interests include program evaluation and the epidemiology of child and adolescent health risk behaviors.