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Sixth Grade Students Who Use Alcohol: Do We Need Primary Prevention Programs for "Tweens"?

Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, pasch{at}umn.edu

Cheryl L. Perry, PhD, MA

Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, School of Public Health, University of Texas, Austin Regional Campus

Melissa H. Stigler, PhD, MPH

Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, School of Public Health, University of Texas, Austin Regional Campus

Kelli A. Komro, PhD, MPH

Epidemiology & Health Policy Research and Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville

Young adolescent alcohol users drink at higher rates than their peers throughout adolescence and appear to be less amenable to intervention. This study compares those who reported alcohol use in the past year to those who reported no use in a multiethnic, urban sample of sixth graders in 61 schools in Chicago in 2002 (N = 4,150). Demographic, behavioral, intrapersonal, and socioenvironmental factors were identified based on behavioral theories and potential mediators of the Project Northland Chicago intervention. Single and multiple regression models were created for users and nonusers to determine associations between these factors and alcohol use behavior and intentions. The multiple regression models explained 35% and 56% of the variance in alcohol use behavior and intentions between students for nonusers and users, respectively. Results suggest that primary prevention programs for alcohol use should occur prior to sixth grade, particularly for the substantial group at high risk for early use.

Key Words: alcohol use • adolescents • nonusers

This version was published on August 1, 2009

Health Education & Behavior, Vol. 36, No. 4, 673-695 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1090198107308374


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