Alcohol and Youth

Abstract

Introduction:

In adolescence alcohol can become considerable psychological stimulus, and its more regularly consuming will be the first step in making psychological and later physical dependence as well.

Method:

The aim is to establish the freqsuency of misuse of alcohol among the youth and some of risk factors which precipitate that kind of behaviour.

610 secondary school pupils (360 females and 250 males), aged 14 - 18, in Banja Luka were sampled. Selfreported Questionnaire of Risk Behaviour by K. Berg-Kelly (2000) was used.

Results:

61,4% of those sampled consum alcohol with different frequency; from every day to few times a year, from that 29,7% females in relation to 30,5% males, and there is statistically considerable difference (x²=75373, p=0,000). From that number 39,3% drink alone, 43% testees drink within a family and from that 2% drink few times a week, and 28,5% few times a year. 25,7% of these sampled had experience in drinking. Parents allow drinking in 41,5% testees in relation to 58,5% who are not allowed to drink, so there is statistically cosiderable difference (x²=33997, p=0,000).

Conclusion:

The results should be used as a support to measures of prevention from selling alcohol to youth and establishing stronger supervision on spending money as well.