Explaining Binge Drinking among Adolescent Males using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

Binge drinking among adolescents in Northern Ireland is prevalent and has detrimental effects on public health. Health education interventions, based on valid explanatory models of health behaviour, are required to reduce binge drinking behaviour among adolescents. This paper examines the utility of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in explaining binge drinking behaviour among adolescent males.Using questionnaire responses from 94 adolescent boys attending secondary schools in the Belfast area, logistic regression modelling suggested that the Theory of Planned Behaviour explained 36% of the variance in self-reported binge drinking behaviour.Attitudes towards binge drinking were the strongest predictor of binge drinking behaviour. Tackling attitudes about binge drinking is a challenge to be considered when designing interventions to reduce binge drinking among this population. Dempster et al. 3 Binge drinking is associated with high levels of morbidity (Perreira & Sloan, 2002) and mortality (Kauhanen, Kaplan, Goldberg, & Salonen, 1997). Binge drinking is defined by different criteria but the amount of alcohol which can be consumed in one session and be considered non-binge drinking is up to half the recommended maximum weekly consumption (Bennett, Smith, & Nugent, 1990). For men, the recommended maximum weekly consumption is 21 units of alcohol per week, where one pint of beer/lager/cider equals 2 units and one measure of spirits equals 1.5 units (Health Promotion Agency Northern Ireland, 2001). Consequently, binge drinking for males (in this research) is defined as drinking more than 10 units of alcohol (for example, more than 5 pints of beer) in one session. These recommendations pertain to adults; the repercussions of drinking these amounts are potentially more severe among younger people.There is widespread public and governmental concern about the level of alcohol consumption among young people in Ireland. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey, conducted in the Republic of Ireland, revealed that 60% of adolescents in the 15-16 year age group are current drinkers (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, 1999) and one third of adolescents in this age group reported binge drinking three or more times in the previous month. In NorthernIreland, one recent study shows that 51% of 15-16 year old boys had been intoxicated with alcohol within the previous 30 days (Miller & Plant, 2001). The Health Promotion Agency Northern Ireland (2000) has also reported that over 80% of both boys and girls had tasted alcohol by the age of 13, and that 44% of boys and 40% of girls were regular drinkers by age 16. In the Republic of Ireland, during the five years These statistics are of public concern, not only because of the detrimental effects on health caused by binge drinking but also because there is a common perception that binge drinking is associated with interpersonal violence, especially among younger people. There is evidence to suggest that the consumption of alcohol by the victim is associated with in...

Broadening the evidence for the Theory of Planned Behavior: predicting heavy episodic drinking in Argentinean female and male youth

“…As in previous studies addressing HED prediction (Collins et al, 2011;Cooke et al, 2007;Dempster et al, 2004;Elliott & Ainsworth, 2012;Jamison & Myers, 2008;Johnston & White, 2003;Norman, 2011;Norman et al, 1998;Norman & Conner, 2006;Norman et al, 2007;Todd & Mullan, 2011;Wall et al, 1998) (Hagger, 2015). Few studies have established the social norm as a predictor of HED intention (Norman, 2011).…”

“…This model has been used successfully in predicting a variety of behaviors, including alcohol consumption (Ajzen, 2002;Armitage & Conner, 2001, McEachan, Taylor, Harrison, Lawton, Gardner, & Conner, 2016. The use of TPB in relation to HED is recent in college students populations, explaining to a high degree HED intention, and a good fit in the prediction of HED behavior (Collins, Witkiewitz, & Larimer, 2011;Cooke, Sniehotta, & Schüz, 2007;Dempster, Marley, & Newell, 2004;Elliott & Ainsworth, 2012;Jamison & Myers, 2008;Johnston & White, 2003;Norman, 2011;Norman & Conner, 2006;Norman, Armitage, & Quigley, 2007;Todd & Mullan, 2011;). The model also contributed to identify factors (like the perception of social pressure to HED) to effectibely intervene on (Ajzen, 2015;French & Cooke, 2012).…”

Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring Attitudes Toward Non-Drinkers

“…These two categories of norms denote the normative expectations of others and one's motivation to comply with these expectations, respectively (Terry & Hogg, 1996). Both have been studied extensively in research using the theory of reasoned action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980;Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) and the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991;Dempster, Newell, & Marley, 2005;Johnston & White, 2003;Norman, Bennett, & Lewis, 1998). It was hypothesized that those who perceive their friends and peers as sanctioning alcohol consumption would evidence more negative attitudes toward nondrinkers (H1).…”

Predictores de la intención de consumo intensivo episódico de alcohol en adolescentes

“…Como señalan Wall et al (1998), valoraciones más positivas respecto al comportamiento (CIEA) se relacionan con una mayor intención de realizar esta conducta. Este hallazgo coincide con los estudios realizados desde la TPB y el consumo intensivo ocasional (Collins & Carey, 2007;Cooke et al, 2007;Dempster, Newell, & Marley, 2005;Jamison & Myers, 2008;Johnston & White, 2003;Norman, Armitage, & Quigley, 2007;Norman, Bennett, & Lewis, 1998;Norman & Conner, 2006;Wall el al., 1998).…”