Relationship Between the School Connectedness Asset and Youth Alcohol Use

Purpose: Being positively connected to one's school has been reported to be associated with prosocial behavior in youth. This study explored the relationship between School Connectedness (SC) and youth report of no alcohol consumption in the past 30 days. Methods: Data were collected from 1,062 youth (aged 12-17) and their parents using in-home, in-person interviews (Youth Asset Study). Mean age was 14.3 years; 53% were female; 24% Black, 39% White, and 28% Hispanic; and 70% were from 2-parent homes. Twenty-one percent (n=223) reported alcohol consumption. Logistic regression analyses included the SC asset; youth age; parent income and education; family structure; and the outcome, “alcohol use in the past 30 days.” Results: Seventy-two percent of the sample reported having the SC asset, which was equally distributed for males and females. Of those with the asset, 18% reported alcohol use compared to 29% without the asset. Logistic regression analysis showed that youth with the SC asset were almost 2 times as likely to report no alcohol use as those without the asset (1.98, 95% CI 1.41, 2.79, p<0.05). Having the School Connectedness asset was significantly associated with youth age (ranged from 81% of 12 year olds compared to 61% of 17 year olds), not skipping school, participation in groups/sports, an A or B average, and eating meals regularly with their parents. These findings have significance for both parents and program developers who could potentially reduce youth consumption of alcohol and the negative outcomes associated with it by impacting the SC asset.