Abstract
Underage drinking persists, despite intervention efforts. This study aimed to identify factors influencing Thai adolescents’ alcohol initiation and develop a screening tool for non-drinking, at-risk adolescents. We reviewed literature and conducted a focus group discussion for item selection; administered surveys, reducing items, assessing construct validity, and confirming the model; then, validated the “Adolescent Alcohol Initiation Outcome Questionnaire.” Exploratory factor analysis of the 234 initial items yielded 226 items, 18 constructs; logistic regression and confirmatory factor analysis each yielded 12 items, 5 constructs. Psychosocial aspects best predicted alcohol initiation. Although sensitivity and specificity were low, negative predictive value was high.
Declarations of interest
This study was funded by the “Center for Alcohol Studies for 50,000 baths.” Both authors declare no conflict of interest. The findings from this study are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the funding body. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in KhonKaen University Ethical Committee (KKUEC) who accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.