Jr. Vicary et al., RELATIONSHIP OF CHANGES IN ADOLESCENTS LEISURE ACTIVITIES TO ALCOHOL-USE, American journal of health behavior, 22(4), 1998, pp. 276-282
Objective: To determine if a decrease in involvement in positive leisu
re activities preceded the transition to monthly-or-more often use of
alcohol. Methods: 460 rural students were surveyed annually for 5 year
s regarding their participation in health and leisure behaviors. Resul
ts: Although gender and grade differences were found, increases in soc
ial activities (parties, dating, being with a crowd) most often occurr
ed prior to increased alcohol use; decreases in sports, hobbies and cr
afts, and church involvement also preceded females' increased alcohol
use. Conclusion: Leisure activities should be carefully selected and m
onitored in efforts to limit adolescent involvement with problem behav
iors including alcohol abuse.