Downs, W.R. (1985, December). Using Panel Data to Examine Sex Differences in Causal Relationships among Adolescent Alcohol Use, Norms, and Peer Alcohol Use. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 14(6), 469-485.

Peer influence is widely assumed to affect the drinking behavior of adolescents. Adolescents’ normative structure concerning alcohol is also believed to affect their alcohol use. Additionally, it is possible that adolescents influence the drinking levels of friends (either directly or by selecting friends based on self alcohol use), and that drinking behavior affects normative structure. Many studies have attempted to conclude that there is a relationship between peer alcohol use and adolescent drinking, using cross-sectional data (Alexander, Jr., 1964; Briddle, 1980; Forslund and Gustafson, 1970; Globetti, 1973; Kane and Patterson, 1972; Lassey and Carlson, 1980; Wechsler and Thum, 1973.). These studies, implemented with cross-sectional data, do not allow a clear ordering of the variables over a length of time. Consequently, these studies could not establish the direction of causality between adolescent alcohol use, normative structure, and peer alcohol use. This study by Downs includes the variable of time into the study of peer influence on adolescent alcohol use.

Other related studies enlighten the discussion. Females are expected to be more attentive to interpersonal relationships than males (Bem, 1974); thus they may be more susceptible to peer influence than males. In 1980, Braucht notes that the peer group as a whole may be a more important source of influence than a single friend. Yet Margulies, in 1977, offered a study that supports the importance of closeness in friendship in determining adolescent alcohol use.

DESIGN

The sample of this study was designed in two stages, in conjunction with an evaluation of the Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Intervention and Referral (ADAIR) demonstration program. The first stage consisted of a telephone survey of a sample random sample of 1014 adolescents ages 13-17. A computer-assisted, random-digit dialing method obtained a true cross-section of all households with telephones. This avoided bias against adolescents who had been expelled or who had left school, and households with unlisted phone numbers.

From this sample, the next stage consisted of a randomly selected comparison group. This composition of the group was 64 males and 50 females, ages 13-17. Members of this group completed an initial baseline interview. One year later, 54 of the males and 46 of the females completed the follow-up interview—a response rate of 88%. The mean age at the time of the baseline interview was 15.8 years for the males, 15.5 years for the females.

FINDINGS

• Among males, self-drinking and normative structure toward alcohol were found to have a reciprocal relationship over time.
• No significant relationship was found between self and peer alcohol use over time among males.
• Among females, close-friend alcohol use was found to be a cause of self drinking and other-friend drinking level.
• Normative structure toward alcohol was found unrelated to other variables over time among females.

What does this mean? Statistically, within this study, the males involved tended to show that sources other than peers were involved in their decision to consume alcohol. "Normal structures within the male’s life," are noted as potentially influential. These structures may closely be associated with his family and its structures. Conversely, females were influenced by their peers. Furthermore, they were influenced by their close friends rather than the larger peer group.

CONCLUSION

Close friends appear to be particularly important to adolescent females. First, girls adjust their own levels of alcohol use to be consonant with those of their close friends. In addition, the level of drinking by a close friend may be significant in predicting the choice of another close friend. This finding indicates that close friends may mediate choice of other friends among adolescent females. Girls appear to select the remainder of their peer group based on the alcohol use of their close friends or to depend on close friends to select a peer group for them.

Conversely, among males, there is a reciprocal relationship between drinking behavior and norms. Peer alcohol use is, according to this study, unrelated to self-drinking among males, but normative structure is. These conclusions harmonize with earlier studies that assert that peer influence in alcohol use is greater for females than that of males. Yet, this study differs in that it regards the female relationship of a close friend a greater peer influence than that of the peer group.

CRITIQUE

This study is difficult to understand. It is comprehensive, using lots of statistical data; yet the information is not easy to read. Therefore, unless an expert in the field, one can only trust this data as being correct and rely on the conclusions put forth by the author. This study, however, is noteworthy for its attempt to account for the variable of time in answering the question, "Do peers influence alcohol use among teenagers?"

IMPLICATIONS

1. Peer pressure influences teenage alcohol use. This peculiar study indicates that the influence is greater on females than on males, yet pressure on both groups exists.
2. We should view males differently from females when studying peer influence and alcohol consumption. Females are much more likely to be influenced by their peers in this area. Therefore, it may be a good idea to talk in gender-specific groups prior to discussing this topic in a co-ed situation.
3. Different curricula need to be developed for males and females regarding peer influence and drinking alcohol.
4. Further study concerning the developmental process for male and female adolescents is crucial. It is necessary to look at peer relations to help us clarify this subject and other vital issues pertinent adolescent livelihood.
5. Teenagers drink alcohol for many reasons. Understanding teenagers and their struggles is critical to positive involvement in their lives, individually and collectively.