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Alcohol Attitudes and Beliefs Related to Actual Alcohol Experience in a Fifth‐Grade Cohort
Author(s) -
McDermott Robert J.,
ClarkAlexander Barbara J.,
Westhoff Wayne W.,
Eaton Danice K.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1999.tb06429.x
Subject(s) - ethnic group , alcohol , cohort , alcohol education , intervention (counseling) , alcohol consumption , psychology , injury prevention , suicide prevention , medicine , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , clinical psychology , environmental health , psychiatry , biochemistry , chemistry , medical education , sociology , anthropology
Despite a gradual overall decrease in alcohol consumption in the United States, alcohol remains the most widely used and abused drug in society. This study assessed lifetime and recent alcohol use in a cohort of fifth graders, and examined attitudes and beliefs held by these youth concerning alcohol. An instrument addressing alcohol use, other substance use, and other health‐related problem behaviors was completed by 813 fifth graders in a west central Florida school district. Among respondents, 48.9% had “ever tried” alcohol, and 17.9% had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days (active drinkers). Significant differences in alcohol‐related attitudes and beliefs were found according to current drinking status, gender, and race/ethnicity. Possible reasons for these differential findings are presented, and implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.