Why young people binge-drink alcohol at weekends? A study about beliefs and attitudes related to this consumption pattern and gender differences

Abstract

This work presents the results of an epidemiologic study done in the Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) about behaviours and attitudes related to alcohol consumption in a sample of 574 youngsters aged 18-24 years. One of the principal results points out that 60% of young people usually consume alcohol in large quantities during the weekend (20% drinks two litres). Among the reasons to consume alcohol stand out diversion (83%), to facilitate social interactions (77%) and to evade problems (57%). Alcohol consumption is habitual in the circle of friends for 89%. Important gender differences appear in the pattern of alcohol consumption (boys drink more than girls because it helps social interaction), girls being more moderate and showing more adaptive attitudes. Opposition to paternal prohibitions, social aspects (such as easing interactions and group pressure) and the absence of risk perception explain almost 50% of the relative variance if this weekend drinking pattern.