Very young adolescents and alcohol: Evidence of a unique susceptibility to peer alcohol use

AimThe aim of this study is to examine the susceptibility of very young adolescents (10–12 years of age) to peer alcohol-related influences, compared to older adolescents (13–14 years of age).MethodsThe analysis sample consisted of 7064 adolescents in grade 6 (modal age 11) or grade 8 (modal age 13) from 231 schools in 30 communities across three Australian States. Key measures were adolescent reports of alcohol use (past 30 days) and the number of peers who consume alcohol without their parent's awareness. Control variables included parent alcohol use, family relationship quality, pubertal advancement, school connectedness, sensation seeking, depression, length of time in high school, as well as age, gender, father/mother education, and language spoken at home. A multi-level model of alcohol use was used to account for school-level clustering on the dependent variable.ResultsFor both groups, the number of peers who consumed alcohol was associated with alcohol use, but Grade 6 students showed a unique susceptibility to peripheral involvement with peer drinking networks (having one friend who consumed alcohol).ConclusionThe results point to the importance of monitoring and responding to comparatively minor shifts in the proportion of peers who use alcohol, particularly among very young adolescents.

► Having one friend who consumed alcohol was uniquely risky for 10–12 year olds.
► This effect was independent of the overall size of peer drinking networks.
► The study controlled for puberty, exposure to high school, and other factors.
► Vigilance to even minor contact with peers who drink may be important.
► Prevention programs need to prepare children for major developmental changes.