Social networks and alcohol use among nonstudent emerging adults: A preliminary study

We examined the social networks and alcohol use of a community-based sample of nonstudent emerging adults (N = 59). The research examined (1) personal network characteristics and the drinking habits of its members, (2) the link between network alcohol use and personal alcohol involvement, (3) perceived social norms as they related to network alcohol use, and (4) relationship between perceived social norms and personal alcohol involvement. Men and women (M age = 27 years) were equally represented in the social network. Level of educational attainment of members was diverse. On average, respondents were in contact on a daily basis with network members and about 38% of the network was known between 1 and 5 years. The majority (57%) of the network consisted of household or family members. There were some associations between network drinking and personal alcohol involvement. The proportion of “drinking buddies” in one's network was directly associated with perceived drinking norms. Perceived drinking norms also were positively associated with personal alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, and approval of drinking behaviors. Findings from this study have implications for understanding social factors in the drinking behavior of nonstudent emerging adults and could inform the development of effective prevention and treatment interventions for this important, but understudied group of drinkers.

Research Highlights
► Networks represented by different types of drinkers.
► Some associations between network drinking and personal alcohol involvement.
► Drinking norms relate to alcohol use, alcohol problems, and drinking approval.