Socioeconomic Status and Alcohol-Related Behaviors in Mid- to Late Adolescence in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective:Prior studies of the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and alcohol consumption and problems in adolescence have been inconclusive. Few studies have examined all three major SES indicators and a broad range of alcohol-related outcomes at different ages. Method: In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort, we examined (by logistic regression, with differential weighting to control for attrition) the relationship between family income and parental education and occupational status, and fi ve alcohol outcomes assessed at ages 16 and 18 years. Results: At age 16, high SES-as indexed by income and education-signifi cantly predicted frequent alcohol consumption. Low SES-as measured by education and occupational status-predicted alcohol-related problems. At age 18, high SES-particularly income and education-signifi cantly predicted frequent alcohol consumption and heavy episodic drinking and, more weakly, symptoms of alcohol dependence. All three measures of SES were inversely related to high-quantity consumption and alcohol behavioral problems. Conclusions: In adolescents in the United Kingdom, the relationship between SES and alcohol-related behaviors is complex and varies as a function of age, SES measure, and specifi c outcome. High SES tends to predict increased consumption and, in later adolescence, heavy episodic drinking and perhaps symptoms of alcohol dependence. Low SES predicts alcohol-related behavioral problems and, in later adolescence, high-quantity alcohol consumption. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 75, 541-545, 2014)

Predictors of alcohol‐related negative consequences in adolescents: A systematic review of the literature and implications for future research

“…Evidence suggests that higher levels of perceived family functioning (Ko et al, 2008), parental involvement (Maldonado-Molina et al, 2011) or the quality of parent-adolescent relationships (Kuntsche et al, 2009) can protect against ARNCs for adolescents. Other family factors such as higher parental education are also protective against ARNCs for adolescents (Kendler et al, 2014). Reimuller and colleagues (2011) documented that, for adolescent alcohol users, permissive messages about alcohol use and outcomes contributed to the likelihood of experiencing ARNCs.…”

“…However, several studies suggest that the patterns of negative consequences differ across gender. For example, Kendler and colleagues (2014) found that females had a higher rate of alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms, but a lower level of behavioral consequences (e.g., fighting) relative to males. In another study, males reported more arguments or fights while intoxicated whereas females reported memory loss after alcohol consumption more than males did (Oullette et al, 1999).…”

Binge drinking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions

“…The majority of studies have found the higher the level of parental education, the higher their offspring's binge drinking frequency (Abebe, Hafstad, Brunborg, Kumar, & Lien, 2015;Charitonidi et al, 2016;Kendler et al, 2014;Pedersen & von Soest, 2013;Sajber, Tahiraj, Zenic, Peric, & Sekulic, 2016;Stafstrom, 2014;Steiner, Schori, & Gmel, 2014). It is possible that these parents monitor their children's activities less closely due to high job demands.…”

“…The evidence is even less clear concerning greater family affluence and higher socio-economic status. Some studies found a link to frequent adolescent binge drinking (Elisaus et al, 2015;Huang, Ho, Wang, Lo, & Lam, 2016;Kendler et al, 2014;Melotti et al, 2013), while others did not (Steiner et al, 2014;Tucker et al, 2013), or found an inverse link (Legleye et al, 2013). Kwok and Yuan (2016) conclude from their recent literature review that in developing countries where parents tend to be poorer and less educated adolescents from affluent and educated families show more binge drinking whereas in developed countries the frequency of adolescent binge drinking depends more on the specific behaviours of parents and friends (see below).…”

The Role of Social, Familial, and Individual-Level Factors on Multiple Alcohol Use Outcomes During the First Year of University

“…The influence of family socioeconomic status (SES) is mixed. Parental income and education is positively associated with drinking frequency and binge drinking, but negatively related to alcohol-related problems during late adolescence (Kendler et al, 2014). Finally, among environmental influences, parental involvement and peer substance use/peer deviance have emerged as consistent predictors of alcohol use and misuse during adolescence (Sher et al, 2005).…”