Perceptions and school-related factors contributing to adolescent binge drinking

Factors contributing to adolescents engaging in risky behaviors transcend beyond the confines of geographical boundaries. Although adolescent at-risk behaviors such as alcohol consumption and binge drinking often transpire independent of school settings, associated school-related factors may greatly contribute to decisions and behaviors undertaken by middle- and high-school students. The purpose of this study is to identify adolescents' perceptions surrounding alcohol use and school-related factors contributing to adolescent binge drinking. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey of Indiana 6th through 12th grade students in 2004. The total number of students was 18,005. Results indicate that Indiana adolescents were less likely to binge drink if they were female (OR = 0.828), White (OR = 0.899), older upon onset of alcohol use (OR = 0.902), perceived binge drinking as high risk (OR = 0.772), perceived school environments as safe (OR = 0.867), or participated in after-school activities (OR = 0.973). Respondents were more likely to binge drink if they were in a higher grade level (OR = 1.105), perceived their peers to approve of binge drinking (OR = 1.396), missed school (OR = 1.185), or performed poorly on a test or project (OR = 1.243). Understanding school-related risk/protective factors influencing students' perceptions and binge drinking behaviors may enable health professionals and school officials to target modifiable risk factors intrinsic and extrinsic to school-related boundaries.