Sociodemographic Influence on Adolescent Alcohol Perception

Abstract

Despite federal regulation preventing the sale and consumption of alcohol to minors under the age of 21, rates of alcohol use in adolescents remain high. A collection of recent studies have found that demographics such as race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation influence one’s vulnerability to alcohol abuse. The field of knowledge, however, lacked locational data that addressed perceptions towards adolescent alcohol use in specific geographic communities. Focusing specifically on the South Bay, a suburban region in South Los Angeles, filled that niche. Through analyzing similar studies and assessing the feasibility of different approaches to research, a quantitative study that utilized a survey was found to be the most appropriate research design. The survey included three sections: one collecting sociodemographic data, one assessing socio economic status, and one quantifying drinking perception. For distribution, six public and private high schools across the South Bay were contacted through guidance counselors. Between the four schools, 118 survey responses were collected over the course of two weeks. The data collected provides valuable information regarding sociodemographic subpopulation vulnerability to underage alcohol use amongst high school teens in the South Bay. Black students, for instance, had the highest positive perception towards underage drinking when averaged. Students of a high socioeconomic status and members of the LGBTQ community also maintain a high positive perception towards alcohol use. A positive perception towards alcohol alludes to a greater vulnerability of underage alcohol consumption. All three groups could benefit from targeted, preventative measures to combat rates of underage alcohol use.