Alcohol Use among Rural Adolescents: Predictive and Situational Factors

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to test the effects of predictive and situational factors on alcohol use among a sample of rural youth. Five predictive factors accounted for 57% of the variance in frequency of alcohol use among the total sample, based on stepwise regression analysis. The predictive factors also accounted for 38% of the variance in frequency of drinking when the regression analysis was restricted only to those who drink. Controlling for these and entering situational factors into the regression analysis accounted for an additional 16% of the variance. Six situational factors were statistically significant, five of which concerned various locations for drinking.

Key Words:

• Rural adolescents
• Alcohol use
• Situational factors
• Predictive factors
• Grade in school
• Time with family
• Time with friends
• Age of first drink
• Gender