INFORMATION

Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.

PSICOTHEMA
  • Director: Laura E. Gómez Sánchez
  • Frequency:
         February | May | August | November
  • ISSN: 0214-9915
  • Digital Edition:: 1886-144X
CONTACT US
  • Address: Ildelfonso Sánchez del Río, 4, 1º B
    33001 Oviedo (Spain)
  • Phone: 985 285 778
  • Fax: 985 281 374
  • Email:psicothema@cop.es

Alcohol consumption in adolescents: The predictive role of drinking motives

María Prieto-Ursúa1, Belén Charro Baena1, José Manuel Caperos2, Carmen Meneses Falcón1, and Jorge Uroz Olivares1

1 Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid and
2 Fundación San Juan de Dios

Background: Several studies have shown differences in the motivational processes that lead to excessive alcohol consumption among adolescents. The paper focuses on the analysis of the reasons for alcohol consumption among minors, and compare the differences according to sex, age, and level of consumption. Method: A representative sample (N = 2,865) of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (mean age 14.24, dt = 1.33) was collected. The variables abuse, binge drinking and drinking motives were evaluated using a questionnaire designed ad hoc, which identified the Cooper’s four categories of motives. Results: The analyses (ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression) showed that there were no differences between young men and women regarding consumption or binge drinking. Minors who abused alcohol experience consumption as pleasurable in itself, as an important source of intrinsic reinforcement. Conformity predicted the problematic consumption of alcohol among boys and a decrease in the frequency of binge drinking among girls. In addition, the larger group showed more presence of enhancement and social motives. Conclusions: This study suggests that it would not be of interest to focus prevention on the negative consequences of consumption, but rather on the training of specific skills.

Consumo de alcohol en adolescentes: el papel predictor de los motivos de consumo. Antecedentes: varios estudios han mostrado diferencias en los procesos motivacionales que llevan al consumo excesivo de alcohol en adolescentes. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar los motivos de consumo de alcohol en menores y sus diferencias según el género, la edad o el grado de consumo. Método: se recogió una muestra representativa (N = 2865) de adolescentes de 12 a 18 años (edad media 14,24, dt=1.33). Se evaluaron las variables consumo problemático, binge drinking y motivos de consumo mediante un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc, que identificaba las cuatro categorías de motivos de Cooper. Resultados: los análisis (ANOVA, correlación de Pearson y regresión logística) mostraron que no hubo diferencias de género en consumo ni en binge drinking. Los menores que abusaban del alcohol informaron de más presencia de reforzadores de todo tipo, siendo el consumo una fuente importante de reforzamiento intrínseco. La conformidad predijo el consumo problemático del alcohol en varones y disminuyó la frecuencia del binge drinking en chicas; además, el grupo mayor mostró más presencia de los motivos de bienestar y sociales. Conclusiones: el estudio sugiere que no sería de interés centrar la prevención en las consecuencias negativas del consumo, sino en el entrenamiento de habilidades concretas.

PDF

Impact factor 2022:  JCR WOS 2022:  FI = 3.6 (Q2);  JCI = 1.21 (Q1) / SCOPUS 2022:  SJR = 1.097;  CiteScore = 6.4 (Q1)