Environmental predictors of drinking and drinking-related problems in young adults

Rhonda Jones-Webb, Brian Short, Alexander Wagenaar, Tracie Toomey, David Murray, Mark Wolfson, Jean Forster

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined relationships among drinking norms, peer alcohol use, alcohol availability, drinking location, alcohol consumption, and drinking- related problems among young adult drinkers. The specific objectives of our study were to assess the relative contribution of normative and physical environmental factors to drinking and drinking consequences. Subjects were 3,095 young adults, aged eighteen to twenty years old who participated in the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Project baseline survey. Alcohol consumption (i.e., number of drinks on the last occasion) and drinking consequences served as dependent variables. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of alcohol consumption, and logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of drinking consequences. Drinking norms and peer alcohol use were positively related to alcohol consumption and to drinking consequences. Drinking in a public setting was positively related to alcohol consumption, but not to drinking-related problems. Findings suggest that policies and programs that alter the normative and physical environment surrounding drinking may reduce alcohol consumption and subsequent problems in young adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)67-82
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Drug Education
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

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