Alcohol use among Maltese adolescents

Abstract

Alcohol is found in almost every home and it is offered on many social occasions. In most societies young persons are even encouraged to drink wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is often experienced as a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. This research attempts to look into the motivational patterns and consequences of alcohol consumption among a sample of thirty Maltese young people, aged between 18 and 25. The interviews were carried out in an office of a language school for foreigners, situated at Paceville, an entertainment venue, which is specially frequented by young people. The literature review covers theoretical perspectives on alcohol use among adolescents. Psychoanalytic, behavioural, cognitive and sociological theories are expounded, while risk and resiliency factors relating to the use of alcohol among young people are presented. The young people in the sample find the environment where they meet their friends, during their leisure time, as a motivation to consume alcohol as they associate drinking with sociability. At the same time, they would refrain from exceeding alcohol use after they would have experienced adverse personal, physical, physiological, and social consequences. This research recommends that society must provide resiliency-enhancing services, rather than indulging in stereotypical remarks against youth. Thus, young people will demonstrate self-esteem and self-confidence, and a belief in their own ability so that they will be able to have some influence upon their internal and external environment (Norman, in Gullotta et al., 1994). An expansive study is needed, as social actors, especially young people, should become aware of the risks and the harmful effects of excessive use of alcohol.