Wahrgenommene Verfügbarkeit und Alkoholkonsum Jugendlicher im Längsschnitt

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the impact of the perceived availability of alcohol on the incidence rate of binge drinking among children and adolescents. Methods: A longitudinal observational study with three waves and a time interval of 30 months. Data from 1167 students were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Results: The perceived high availability of beer and wine was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.54 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.14- 2.09, p = .005) for initiating binge drinking compared with low perceived availability. The perceived availability of spirits was also found to be a significant predictor of initial binge drinking (AOR=1.59; 95 % CI: 1.10- 2.32, p = .014). Additionally, there was a significant interaction effect with the age of the students (AOR = 3.01; 95 % CI: 1.35 -6.74, p=.007). The significant predictive effect of the perceived availability of spirits on initial binge drinking was found, however, only among older adolescents. Conclusion: While structural preventive measures focus on the objective availability of alcohol (legal age, opening hours, outlet density), with respect to the subjective availability of alcohol one should also consider the immediate social environment. © 2014 Verlag Hans Huber, Hogrefe AG, Bern.