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01-07-2009 | ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION

The crown of love: intimate relations and alcohol use in adolescence

Authors: Carmen S. van der Zwaluw, Ron H. J. Scholte, Ad A. Vermulst, Jan Buitelaar, Robbert Jan Verkes, Rutger C. M. E. Engels

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 7/2009

Abstract

Background

Remarkably, little attention has been paid to the role of intimate partners and their drinking behavior in relation to adolescent alcohol use. In the current study, we examined associations between adolescent alcohol use and romantic partners’ drinking behavior.

Methods

A total of 428 families, consisting of both parents and two adolescents (aged 13.4 and 15.2 at Time 1) participated in a prospective study with four annual waves. Correlations and multivariate regressions were used to examine (1) similarity in drinking behaviors of adolescents and intimate partners, (2) whether alcohol use of partners prospectively predicts adolescent alcohol consumption, and (3) whether adolescents who consume alcohol select partners over time who show similar drinking behaviors.

Results

(1) Frequency of alcohol consumption of adolescents and of their romantic partners correlated significantly. (2) Alcohol use of partners was not predictive of adolescent alcohol consumption over time, if previous levels of alcohol consumption were taken into account. (3) Adolescents acquired partners with similar drinking behaviors. Gender effects were found; adolescent girls, but not boys, were more likely to become involved with partners who also frequently consumed alcohol.

Conclusions

Regarding alcohol consumption, adolescents and their intimate partners were relatively similar in alcohol use. This resemblance is best explained by adolescents’ selection of future partner on the basis of alcohol consumption. Less indication was found for influence effects, perhaps due to the transient nature of most adolescent romantic relationships.

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Resemblance and similarity are in this context considered relative concepts, since females consume systematically less alcohol than males.

By mentioning these two processes, it is not intended to be exhaustive in potential processes underlying mate similarity. Other approaches have been mentioned, such as the social homogamy process [47] and the evolutionary psychology paradigm [5].

To describe the younger participating adolescent of the family the terms ‘younger adolescent’ and ‘younger sibling’ will be used interchangeably throughout this article. In a similar vein ‘older adolescent’ and ‘older sibling’ will both be used to denote the older participating sibling of the family.

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Title: The crown of love: intimate relations and alcohol use in adolescence
Authors: Carmen S. van der Zwaluw
Ron H. J. Scholte
Ad A. Vermulst
Jan Buitelaar
Robbert Jan Verkes
Rutger C. M. E. Engels
Publication date: 01-07-2009
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 7/2009
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0748-6

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The crown of love: intimate relations and alcohol use in adolescence

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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