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The Influence of Adolescents’ Social Networks on Alcohol Consumption: A Descriptive Study of Spanish Adolescents Using Social Network Analysis

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  • Enedina Quiroga

    (SALBIS Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, Campus of Ponferrada s/n, Ponferrada, 24401 León, Spain)

  • Arrate Pinto-Carral

    (SALBIS Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, Campus of Ponferrada s/n, Ponferrada, 24401 León, Spain)

  • Isaías García

    (SECOMUCI Research Groups, Escuela de Ingenierías Industrial e Informática, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, C.P. 24071 León, Spain)

  • Antonio J. Molina

    (GIIGAS Research Group, Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, C.P. 24071 León, Spain)

  • Tania Fernández-Villa

    (GIIGAS Research Group, Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, C.P. 24071 León, Spain)

  • Vicente Martín

    (GIIGAS Research Group, Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Ciber de Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERSP), University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, C.P. 24071 León, Spain)

Abstract

In adolescence, friends are important due to their influence on the acquisition of habits such as alcohol consumption. However, there is a lack of studies that describe the structural context of adolescents, which would be useful to implement prevention strategies. Therefore, our research question was how adolescent friendship networks influence alcohol consumption. Our goal was to determine the structural profile of adolescent at-risk alcohol users and their relational context in the classroom. We designed a descriptive cross-sectional study based on social network analysis to analyze structural patterns. We recruited 195 students. Social-network and alcohol-consumption variables were analyzed using the UCINET and STATA programs. Some 86.67% of participants had consumed alcohol at some time in their lives and the prevalence of at-risk alcohol use was higher in females (50.48% vs. 49.52%; OR: 1.84; CI 95%: 0.99–3.43%; p = 0.036). The lower the intensity of friendship, the more contacts adolescent at-risk alcohol users had within the network, and the easier it was for them to access their peers. Consequently, we conclude that the structure of a class is a key factor that merits further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Enedina Quiroga & Arrate Pinto-Carral & Isaías García & Antonio J. Molina & Tania Fernández-Villa & Vicente Martín, 2018. "The Influence of Adolescents’ Social Networks on Alcohol Consumption: A Descriptive Study of Spanish Adolescents Using Social Network Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:1795-:d:164808
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    1. Timothy C. Caboni & John M. Braxton & Molly Black Deusterhaus & Meaghan E. Mundy & Shederick A. McClendon & Stephanie D. Lee, 2005. "Toward an Empirical Delineation of a Normative Structure for College Students," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(5), pages 519-544, September.
    2. Valente, T.W. & Hoffman, B.R. & Ritt-Olson, A. & Lichtman, K. & Johnson, C.A., 2003. "Effects of a Social-Network Method for Group Assignment Strategies on Peer-Led Tobacco Prevention Programs in Schools," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(11), pages 1837-1843.
    3. Mercken, Liesbeth & Snijders, Tom A.B. & Steglich, Christian & de Vries, Hein, 2009. "Dynamics of adolescent friendship networks and smoking behavior: Social network analyses in six European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 1506-1514, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. José Alberto Benítez-Andrades & Alejandro Rodríguez-González & Carmen Benavides & Leticia Sánchez-Valdeón & Isaías García, 2018. "A Semantic Social Network Analysis Tool for Sensitivity Analysis and What-If Scenario Testing in Alcohol Consumption Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Patricia Sampedro-Piquero & Clara Zancada-Menéndez & Elena Bernabéu-Brotons & Román D. Moreno-Fernández, 2022. "The Relationship between Binge Drinking and Binge Eating in Adolescence and Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.

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