Social Influences on Adolescent and Young Adult Alcohol Use (Social Issues, Justice and Status)

Many adolescents and young adults engage in drinking behaviour, which result in acute and chronic negative consequences (eg: unintentional injuries, arguments, unplanned and/or unprotected sexual activities, trouble with police/authorities, poor academic/work performance, suicide, and death), and alcohol dependence. Social influence is foremost among the causes attributed to the initiation and maintenance of alcohol use during this period. This book reviews a number of prominent theories of social influence that are directly relevant to drinking behaviour among adolescents and young adults.