An Analysis of Environmental and Social Factors Affecting Adolescent Problem Drinking

Researchers only recently have begun to examine the environmental and contextual factors that influence adolescent drinking behavior. The objective of this study was to create and test a comprehensive model of adolescent problem drinking. Items from the National Education Longitudinal Study: 1988–1994 (NELS:88; National Center for Educational Statistics, 1996) were used to create measurement models for all latent variables in the hypothesized structural model. Results indicated that high levels of parental support and a positive school climate in the 8th grade influence the formation of relationships with peers with positive values in the 10th grade that guarded against problem‐drinking behavior in the 10th grade.