Gender differences in predictors of drinking behavior in adolescents

This study explored the differences in the risk factors associated with alcohol use, problem drinking, and related consequences between male and female high school students in eastern Taiwan. A total of 771 10th grade students, including 327 boys (42.4%) and 444 girls (57.6%), from four randomly selected high schools in eastern Taiwan were included in the survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. In conclusion, paternal drinking was found to be an important factor for the development of alcohol use in adolescent boys but had less impact on girls when compared with maternal drinking. Peer norms and peer relationships had greater effects on drinking behavior in female than in male adolescents. Alcohol use appeared to be much more closely related to family relationships in female than in male adolescents. In adolescent boys, deviant self-image was the real factor causing problem drinking. Therefore, preventive intervention for boys should focus on managing psychological distress and strengthening positive self-image, while correcting peer drinking norms, learning of drinking refusal self-efficacy, establishing friendships without drinking, and positive parent–child communication should be enhanced for girls.