Alcohol and young people : influence of family and peers and raising legal age

Abstract

This study explored the drinking patterns of Maltese young people and the peers' and family's influence on their alcohol consumption. The target population was sixth form students where two schools were chosen for the sample; one state school the Junior College, and one private St Aloysius College. A non-random convenience sample, 10% of each school's population (a total of 346 students), took part in the questionnaire, which was distributed in the two schools. The results indicated that the vast majority (88%) had at least one alcoholic drink in their lifetime. The pattern seemed to indicate that alcohol is mainly drunk on the weekend (53%) for enjoyment and in the company of peers. However, 42% seemed to be occasional drinkers, while 12% seemed to abuse alcohol by drinking more than 5 drinks in a row. Males seemed to drink more frequently and in greater quantities than females. The study also showed that peers influence the consumption of alcohol, but no relationship was found between the respondents' and their parents' consumption. However the study also showed that there was a high exposure to alcohol in the family. There was also a divided opinion among the respondents to raise the legal drinking age and the most salient reasoning was that laws were not enforced in Malta and therefore it made no difference whether the legal age was raised or not. Recommendations and implications for Youth Work were also given.