Optimism as a protective factor against alcohol use among Vietnamese teenagers

ABSTRACT

Background

Alcohol use amongst adolescents in Vietnam is concerning and the idea is that optimism may serve as a protective factor against the problem.

Methods

This study aims to examine the effects of optimism on teen drinking in the country. A Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted, using a sample of 3978 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 in Vietnam from the Survey Assessment of Vietnamese Youth (SAVY).

Results

Findings of the main effects revealed that optimism had deterrent effects on alcohol drinking among the teenagers. Specifically, the adolescents are less likely to drink alcohol if they are optimistic about their future.

Conclusion

Results of this study have implications for those working in substance use services, parents, teachers, and others working with teenagers.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol use
• teen drinking
• optimism
• adolescents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable requests.