Previous research has shown that social networks play a role in the drinking behaviors of college students due to student perceptions of peer alcohol use. A recent study administered a one-time survey to 372 young adults between ages 18-29. Each participant was asked to report on the drinking behaviors of 10 people within their social network within the past 2 weeks. The individuals listed as members of a participant’s social network were identified based on importance in their lives. They were also asked whether or not they consumed alcohol with each individual.
The results showed that the participants consumed an average of 8.58 drinks weekly. Interestingly, the only network members who were not associated with more drinks consumed per day in their presence were non-drinking important network members and romantic partners. Support of drinking from important network members and drinking buddies both were associated with increased drinking. Overall, a positive association exists between the number of personal network members present on days when alcohol is consumed and the amount of alcohol consumed.
Take Away: Support of using alcohol by members in one’s social network leads to more alcohol consumed when in their presence. The only two types of social network members that are excluded from this association include non-drinking important members and romantic partners.
Neighbors, C., Krieger, H., Rodriguez, L.M., Rinker, D.V., Lembo, J.M. (2019). Social identity and drinking: Dissecting social networks and implications for novel interventions. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community. doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2019.1603676