Sports-specific factors, perceived peer drinking, and alcohol-related behaviors among adolescents participating in school-based sports in Southwest Georgia

• Authors: Darren Mays, Emory University; Nancy Thompson, Emory University; Howard Kushner, Emory University; David F. Mays, II, Emory University; Derrick Farmer, Georgia State University; Michael Windle, Emory University
• Journal Title: Addictive Behaviors
• Volume: Volume 35, Number 3
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2010-03-01, Pages 235-241
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.10.018
• Subjects: Psychology, Behavioral; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Social Sciences; Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Psychology, Clinical; Substance Abuse; Psychology; Alcohol; Adolescents; Sports; Peer drinking; EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT; AFRICAN-AMERICAN; SUBSTANCE USE; YOUTH; GENDER; RISK; CONSUMPTION; JOCKS; BASKETBALL; PATHWAYS

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships among sports-specific factors, perceived peer drinking, and alcohol-related behaviors among adolescents, examining sex differences in the relationship between perceived peer drinking and alcohol-related behaviors. A questionnaire assessing demographics, sports-specific factors, perceived peer drinking, and alcohol-related behaviors was administered among 378 adolescents who were mostly male (76.3%) and non-Hispanic black (70.0%). Varsity sports participants reported higher levels of perceived peer drinking compared to those who participated in sports at other levels (B 0.64, 95% CI 0.28, 0.99, p < 0.001). Participants in both sports offering team- and individual-level competition reported greater perceived peer drinking (B 0.71, 95% CI 0.05, 1.38, p = 0.04), compared to those who only participated in individual sports. Perceived peer drinking was associated with alcohol-related behaviors (B 0.39, 95% CI 0.31, 0.47, p < 0.001) and there were no significant differences between males and females in this relationship. Suggestions for future research include examining factors contributing to the low prevalence of drinking behaviors, and investigating factors related to sports that impact perceived peer drinking and alcohol-related behaviors.