Harmful Alcohol Drinking Among Adolescents: The Influence of Sport Participation, Religiosity, and Parental Factors

Abstract

Studies that have investigated the potential protective/risk factors for alcohol drinking in Bosnia and Herzegovina and surrounding countries are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the gender-specific protective/risk factors for harmful alcohol drinking among adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study sample was composed of 1,015 17- to 18-year-old adolescents (426 boys and 589 girls). The logistic analysis predictors were as follows: parental monitoring, parents’ education, and sport factors. Among boys, individual sports participation, higher paternal education, and lower self-reported conflict with parents were protective factors against harmful drinking. Among girls, higher conflict with parents was the single significant risk factor for harmful alcohol drinking.

Keywords:

• logistic regression
• physical exercise
• predictors
• substances