title: Outlet density as a predictor of alcohol use in early adolescence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent national youth surveys suggest that alcohol availability plays a role in determining use. One measure of availability receiving recent attention is outlet density; however, few studies have examined the effects of outlet density in younger populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from a national sample of the United States (N = 5,903) followed between 6th and 8th grades, as part of a study funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Measures of outlet density were also acquired.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students in high off-site density communities increased their alcohol use; however, students attending schools in low outlet density communities had higher initial levels of alcohol use that remained relatively stable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation-Louisville Center, Kentucky, USA. sshamblen@pire.org
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shamblen
authors.forename: Melissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Chris L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ringwalt
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Flewelling
authors.forename: Heddy K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hanley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D014481:United States