Age differences in alcohol prototype perceptions and willingness to drink in UK adolescents. Issue 3 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davies, Emma L.; Martin, Jilly; Foxcroft, David R.
• Is Part Of: Psychology, health & medicine. Volume 21:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 329
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: adolescents -- alcohol -- intervention development -- prototype willingness model; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2015.1051556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-8506

Abstract

Abstract : Using the prototype willingness model (PWM) as a framework, this study sought to explore the relationship between prototype perceptions, willingness and alcohol consumption in a sample of adolescents in the United Kingdom (UK). Adolescents aged 11–17 were asked about their alcohol prototype perceptions, willingness to drink, intentions, alcohol consumption, drunkenness and harms using a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were recruited through opportunity sampling via schools and parents. The survey was completed by 178 respondents (51% female; 91 aged 11–15, 87 aged 16–17). Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences between participants aged 11–15 and 16–17 on PWM measures, even when experience with drinking was accounted for ( p < .001). There were significant interactions ( p < .001) between age and prototype perceptions; younger participants rated non-drinker prototypes as more favourable and more similar to the self than 16- and 17-year-old participants. Willingness and intentions interacted with age; both measures were similar in 16- and 17-year-olds, whereas younger participants scored significantly higher on willingness than intentions ( p < .001). Three distinct scales of prototype descriptions were identified in principal components analysis. Characteristics related to sociability significantly predicted willingness to drink alcohol in the sample ( p < .001). This study extends previous research by demonstrating that the PWM can provide a theoretical explanation of adolescent drinking in the UK. The results suggest that 11- to 15-year-olds may be the most suitable age for an intervention that targets alcohol prototypes, with a focus on sociability characteristics.