Developmental patterns of alcohol use among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Existing studies suggested that alcohol use increased over time in adolescence. However, data are limited regarding the developmental patterns of alcohol use among adolescents in China where alcohol use is considered as a social acceptable behavior. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the developmental patterns of alcohol use over time and analyze the gender and grade differences in terms of the pattern among Chinese adolescents.

METHODS: Longitudinal data among 709 Grade 10th and Grade 11th adolescents were collected from two middle schools in Guangdong Province in China over 6 months. Demographic variables, drinking frequency and drinking quantity were collected in both baseline and 6-month follow-up. According to the longitudinal pattern of alcohol use from baseline to follow-up, adolescents were classified as non-risk group (i.e., consistent non-user at two time points), low-risk group (i.e., consistent light users or become light users from heavy users) and high-risk group (i.e., consistent heavy drinkers or become heavy drinkers from the earlier stages).

RESULTS: (1) The proportions of light users (37.2% v.s. 26.7%) and heavy users (28.4% v.s. 20.8%) were significantly greater at follow-up compared to those at baseline. (2) Male adolescents were more likely to be identified as low-risk (29.1%) or high-risk group (42.9%) compared to female counterparts (25.3% and 31.6%). No significant grade difference in terms of developmental patterns of alcohol use was found.

CONCLUSION: Alcohol use of Chinese adolescents steadily increased over time, especially for males. Further effective gender-specific prevention and intervention is needed to reduce adolescents' alcohol use.