Binge drinking behavior in adolescents: A structural equation model for the study of onset factors
Alessia Bastianelli, Andrea Spoto, Giulio Vidotto
Although alcohol consumption among Italian adolescents is lower than among their northern-European
and Anglo-Saxon counterparts, statistics show a modification in their consumption behavior. Recently
this behavior is becoming more and more similar to that of youngsters from Northern and Anglo-Saxon
countries. This means a heady and intoxicating alcoholic consumption carried out mostly during the
weekend.
The term binge drinking (BD) indicates the consumption of 5 or more drinks (4 or more for women)
during only one night, with the specific aim to get drunk.
Several studies have been conducted to understand the role of motivation and alcohol related
expectancies in binge drinking. Despite this, their role and interrelations are still not clear.
Through a structural equation model, using a sample of adolescents, we investigated the role in the
onset of binge drinking taking into account bunch of variables such as Socialization improvement,
Sexual inhibition and Negative affect.
Results show that Socialization and Negative affect are directly involved. Socialization acts directly
on binge drinking by motivating an excessive alcohol assumption, and influences Sexual inhibition
by stimulating the wish to transgress. Negative affects play a role in the binge drinking onset. This
variable is not related to Socialization, but it acts independently on binge drinking behavior.
Keywords
Binge drinking, risk factors, socialization, negative affects.
