title: Sports-specific factors, perceived peer drinking, and alcohol-related behaviors among adolescents participating in school-based sports in Southwest Georgia.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. darren.mays@gmail.com
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mays
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Howard I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Kushner
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Mays
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Windle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires