Objective: To examine the influence of several social and individual factors on adolescent alcohol consumption.
Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the mental development from birth to adolescence in a cohort consisting originally of 384 children. Six different variables were assessed: alcohol consumption at the age of 16 years, sensitivity to alcohol, temperament, peer influence, parental educational behaviour, and mental disorders.
Results: The majority of adolescents (97%) consumed alcohol, 24% did so at least once a week. Social factors (like negative peer influence or parental educational behaviour) and individual factors (like sensitivity to alcohol, temperament or mental disorders) predicted the amount of alcohol consumed per month at the age of 16 years.
Conclusions: Early identification of at-risk adolescents appears to be essential. Successful preventive strategies include support for parental education, reduction of negative peer influence, and training in order to enhance one's perception of one's own body and sensitivity to alcohol.