Alcohol attitudes and beliefs related to actual alcohol experience in a fifth-grade cohort.
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.
McDermott
R J
RJ
Dept. of Community and Family Health, Florida Prevention Research Center, University of South Florida 33612, USA. rmcdermo@hsc.usf.edu
Clark-Alexander
B J
BJ
Westhoff
W W
WW
Eaton
D K
DK
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires