title: Drinking in adolescents--qualitative analysis.
abstract: The aim of this paper was to explore alcohol consumption and the development of this habit in the adolescent population based on qualitative data from 59 anonymous essays written by high school students. We found that the most of adolescents had their first experiences with alcohol in the seventh or eighth grades. They reported that they usually drank alcohol to be happy, to relax, to be courageous in approaching the opposite sex, to fit into society, and to be popular. Factors affecting drinking are influence of peers, family and social attitude towards drinking, laws and enforcement of legislation. In further prevention programs, we must be able to demonstrate that "having a good time" does not mean drinking alcohol. Programs for the prevention of alcohol-related problems must begin by adolescence, including both sexes equally and can be achieved through a coordinated and intense public health effort.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health for the Osijek-Baranja County, Osijek, Croatia. Senka.Samardzic@zzjzosijek.hr
authors.forename: Senka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samardzić
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bujsić
authors.forename: Karlo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kozul
authors.forename: Domagoj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tadijan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D035041:Anonymous Testing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013334:Students