ABSTINENCE IN LATE ADOLESCENCE - ANTECEDENTS TO AND COVARIATES OF A SOBER LIFE-STYLE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

The purpose of this study was first to compare 18-19-year-old male abs tainers with alcohol consumers, and especially light consumers, regard ing degree of sociability as indicated by their (in)security in the co mpany of others, their number of close friends, intimate conversations with friends and their popularity in school. Secondly, we analysed th e importance of antecedents to and covariates of abstinence. In additi on, the significant antecedents and covariates gave us information as to abstinence patterns. The study was based on a survey of all Swedish males, 18-19 years old, conscripted for military service in 1969-70. Data had been collected by means of questionnaires and psychological i nterviews,,giving measures of each respondent's social background, psy chiatric/psychological and psychosomatic health status; substance use, deviant behaviour and degree of sociability. Poor sociability was mor e common among the abstainers than among all the other categories of d rinkers, including the light consumers. The conscripts' social backgro und, and especially their fathers' drinking habits, had the strongest effects in explaining abstinence. Sixty-two per cent of all abstainers had non-drinking fathers, compared to 28% of the light consumers. As to the majority of abstainers, this indicates a link between the socia l background of temperance and their own reported abstinence. Their po or sociability could be a consequence of abstaining at a young age whe n abstinence is uncommon. Those who abstained despite a drinking fathe r showed a worsening psychological status, suggesting a link between p sychologically impaired health, poor sociability and abstinence. Thoug h the abstainers were the least sociable, the differences between the abstainers, the light consumers and the moderate consumers in other ca tegories were generally small. The high consumers were the only except ion, with the poorest scores in most variables.