Skip to main content

Drinking during adolescence and young adulthood: Taboo, tolerated, and treasured


The underlying causes of a behavior, such as alcohol drinking, can change during adolescence and young adulthood. Prior alcohol research has shown that, in general: shared/common environment influences are strongest in early adolescence, declining in strength until young adulthood; unique environmental influences are moderate, but stable, during adolescence and young adulthood; and genetic influences are weakest during early adolescence, steadily increasing in strength until young adulthood. This study examined the relations between genetic and environmental etiologies of alcohol use and the influence of peer use, parental autonomy granting, and maternal closeness on this behavior.


Researchers analyzed the first three waves of data collected during the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health for 2,447 twin and sibling pairs (30% male pairs, 32% female pairs, 38% opposite sex pairs) ranging in age from 13 to 27 years. Wave 1was collected from 1994 to 1995, Wave 2 from 1995 to 1996, and Wave 3 from 2001 to 2002.


Results supported previous findings showing that genetic and environmental influences on alcohol use change during adolescence and young adulthood. In addition to genetic and environmental influences that were common to these age groups, there were genetic and environmental influences that were important only during adolescence. Friends' drinking behavior was a more pervasive influence on adolescents' drinking than parenting practices. The authors suggested that interventions and prevention programs geared toward reducing alcohol use in younger populations could benefit from a focus on peer influence.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tanker Accident at Iyana Ipaja Causes Fire and Alot of Damages

A fire incident occurred in Iyana Ipaja yesterday morning. Sources at the scene the fire started around 1:30 a.m on Tuesday morning, and that it was caused by an accident involving a fuel tanker that lost control and was upturned. Here are pictures from the unfortunate incident: Lagos State Governor (Gov. Ambode) also went to inspect the Scene.

Photo: Policeman who killed himself, his colleague and the girl they were fighting over

Remember the story about the police officer who shot himself, his senior colleague and a recharge card seller named Chidinma over claims of infidelity? (read story  here>> ). Well new facts have emerged about the story and a graphic pic from the horrific murder-suicide scene has also emerged. According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened at Karu town near CBN quarters in Abuja on Thursday April 30th. The police corporal who had been dating the recharge card seller, went to see her on that faithful day and met her in company of another police officer who he immediately accused of sleeping with his girlfriend. The accusation was said to have made his senior colleague angry who then ordered him to leave the place or he will be dealt with.

Asiwaju group warns Osun Assembly not to impeach Aregbesola

UNPAID SALARY: Asiwaju group warns Osun Assembly not to impeach Aregbesola  A group under the aegis of Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation has warned the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam against impeaching Governor Rauf Aregbesola. A Judge in the state had earlier called for his resignation over his inability to pay workers’ salaries. The Speaker of the House also confirmed on Wednesday that the Assembly had received a petition from Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, calling for the impeachment of Aregbesola on the grounds of alleged financial recklessness. In a letter dated June 24, 2015 and signed by the AGF coordinator in Osun State, Adeboye Adebayo, the group, which acknowledged that Oloyede’s views should be respected, however, urged the Assembly to disregard the petition because “Aregbesola has made meaningful achievements.” The letter read in part, “Mr. Speaker, you know that before now, workers’ salaries, pensions and other emoluments were being paid...