NCJ Number
188763
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter, 2000 Pages: 12-22
Date Published
2000
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examines the relationship between gender, athletic participation, alcohol expectancies, and alcohol use in a sample of male and female adolescents.
Abstract
Participants included 455 students in grades 7 through 12. The sample consisted of 191 males and 264 females with 210 athletes and 245 being non-athletes. A questionnaire was completed by the participants. A significant finding was the relationship between social expectation and negative consequence drinking, thus indicating that adolescents believe alcoholic beverages make parties more fun, allow people to join in with others who are having fun, and tend to make people more friendly. Therefore, positive social expectancies for alcohol may be associated with increased consumption. Although mean differences between male and female adolescents were not significant, it is important to note that both are reporting similar levels of negative consequences as a result of their drinking. Males drink more and report heavier negative consequences as a result of their drinking, however females are approaching the heavy consequence drinker category. Considering that in this study the sample population was seventh to twelfth grade students, these results suggest that alcohol use or the negative consequences of alcohol use may become a serious issue for both males and females. It appears that adolescents’ expectation that alcohol will provide social benefits is a very powerful motivator for alcohol use to override the negative consequences experienced while drinking. 2 tables, 23 references.