Correlates of Reduced Alcohol Consumption among a Sample of Young Australians. (28th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raggatt, Michelle; Wright, Cassandra; Dietze, Paul; Pennay, Amy; Caluzzi, Gabriel; Lim, Megan
• Is Part Of: Alcohol and alcoholism. Volume 54:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 525
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2019-06-28
• Subjects: young people -- alcohol drinking -- cessation -- Australia; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agz057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0735-0414

Abstract

Abstract : Our findings contribute to understanding recent trends in alcohol reduction among young people. One in three young people reduced their alcohol consumption in the past year. Young people were more likely to reduce drinking if they were born overseas or had experienced alcohol-related harms. Abstract: Aims: Population data suggest that a significant proportion of young drinkers are reducing or ceasing their alcohol use; however, there is a lack of information about the characteristics of young people who do so. Our study aimed to determine characteristics associated with self-reported attempted and successful alcohol reduction and cessation among young people in Victoria, Australia. Methods: Data are from a cross-sectional online survey with young people aged 15–29 years living in Victoria, Australia. Participants who reported consuming alcohol in the past 12 months were included in the analysis ( N = 1, 162). Results: Alcohol drinking cessation in the past 12 months was reported by 3.8% ( n = 44) and reduced alcohol consumption was reported by 32.1% ( n = 371) of participants. Characteristics associated with trying to reduce or cease alcohol consumption were older age, being born overseas, drinking at hazardous levels, experiencing alcohol-related harms and interest in health content on social media. Characteristics associated with successful alcohol reduction or cessation were being born overseas and experiencing alcohol-related harm, while being a member of a religious group was negatively associated. Conclusions: Recent reduction in alcohol consumption was common among young people in this study. Recent reduction in alcohol consumption was common among young people in this study. A combination of factors appear to be correlated with recent attempts to reduce drinking young people including socio-demographic characteristics, religiosity, drinking practices and experience of harm, and interest in health.