title: [Social representations of alcohol in children and adolescents].
abstract: Two hundred (200) pupils, aged 7-8, 12-13, and 16-17, sampled in different schools in the city of Lausanne, were interviewed for a study financed by the Swiss Foundation for Scientific Research. The Characteristic contents and structure of social representations about alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs were investigated by means of a semi-qualitative, personal interview. Results concerning alcohol show that within a relatively short span of time adolescents assimilate a great deal of knowledge about alcohol's functions, effects and the meaning of consumption available in a given cultural context. Furthermore, perceived social expectations, derived from the observation of consumption patterns and models, proved to be decisive with regard to intentions for future behavior.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values; D013557:Switzerland
vernacular_title: Représentations sociales de l'alcool chez les enfants et les adolescents.