Young male athletes perceive varying social pressures to engage in underage drinking than their parents

There is minimal research examining differences between youth and their parents' perceptions of social pressure and underage drinking. The current research explores perceptions of peer-pressure for youth alcohol use. We hypothesize that male youth who are involved in sports have lower risk perceptions and increased acceptance of underage alcohol use. The Speed and Quickness Survey was administered by the County of Kauai Anti Drug Program to males ages 12-17 (N=141; Filipino=18% part or Native Hawaiian=12%) and their parent/guardian (N=87; females=54%; Filipino=15%, part or Native Hawaiian=33%) during their participation in a local football clinic. Participants answered questions about alcohol perceptions and peer pressure on a scale that ranged from 1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree). T-tests were used to compare perceived social pressure and perceived acceptability of alcohol consumption between youth (mean=2.53; SD=.852) and adults (mean=2.17; SD=.884). Results demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) higher perceptions of social pressure among youth in comparison to adults. However, no differences (p>0.05) were found in regards to whether youth alcohol consumption is acceptable (youth: mean=3.03; SD=.860 and adults: mean=3.09; SD=.876). These results support our hypothesis that male athletes and their parents vary in their perceptions of social pressure for youth to use alcohol. We are not able to show differences in perceptions of acceptance of underage drinking. This study can be replicated to the general population of youth to explore whether they view social pressure as being a catalyst for underage drinking.