title: [Preliminary Study on Cognitive Determinants Influencing Argentine Youngsters towards Intensive Alcohol Consumption or Binge Drinking].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current alcohol consumption pattern among youngsters and adolescents, characterized by heavy drinking during a few hours, several days a week, or binge drinking (binge drinking, concentrated drinking or long-gulp drinking) is a reality in many countries, including Spain and Argentina.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe cognitive determinants in the behavior regarding excessive alcohol consumption (binge drinking) in 16-25 year subjects in Argentina.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ad hoc survey was conducted to assess cognitive determinants influencing heavy alcohol consumption, according to I. Ajzen's guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are significant statistic differences between the group of heavy drinkers and the group that does not reach such level of consumption in relation to behavioral beliefs, and control beliefs. Both groups recognized consumption is noxious and not safe; no differences were observed concerning normative beliefs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a complex interaction mong attitudinal factors, motivational and behavior control factors. Instruments require greater sensitivity and further in-depth analysis is required regardomg short, middle and long consequences generated by binge drinking and its role as a positive or negative reinforment.
authors.affiliation: Licenciado en Psicología, profesor adjunto, docente-investigador, Cátedra de Escuelas, Corrientes y Sistemas de la Psicología Contemporánea, Programa de Formación en Drogodependencia y Adicciones, Unidad de Estudios Epidemiológicos en Salud Mental, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. Electronic address: gomez@psyche.unc.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Raúl Ángel
authors.initials: RÁ
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Doctora en Ciencias de la Salud. Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Leticia Elizabeth
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Luque
authors.affiliation: Doctor(a) en Psicología. Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, España.
authors.forename: María Teresa Cortés
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Tomas
authors.affiliation: Doctor(a) en Psicología. Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Begoña Espejo
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Tort
authors.affiliation: Doctor(a) en Psicología. Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, España.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Giménez
keywords: Alcohol; beliefs; binge drinking; cognición; cognition; conducta planificada; consumo intensivo; creencias; planned behavior