Youth often report drinking because "there is nothing else to do." This study examines the relationship of community infrastructure assets to support youth alcohol prevention efforts, and problems associated with youth alcohol use in small and medium-sized communities in Indiana. The availability of positive activities and social support varies considerably among communities. Communities were surveyed for the presence of three types of community infrastructure assets: (1) youth development assets (i.e. scout troops, 4-H, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs), (2) facilities and physical assets (i.e. theaters, bowling alleys, youth centers), and (3) community support assets (i.e. United Way, Community Foundation, mass transit, food banks, etc.), using local youth as key informant surveyors. Correlations were calculated between presence of various infrastructure assets and indicators of alcohol abuse problems (i.e. prevalence or use, prevalence of problem behavior, arrests) in adolescents in the community. Data sources include social indicators from official records, data from annual surveys conducted by local schools of "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents," and data from local surveys using the Search Institute's "Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors" survey. Infrastructure assets were ranked based upon correlation with low rates of youth alcohol problems. Infrastructure characteristics of communities with high and low prevalence of youth alcohol problems are identified. Practical applications for community planning are discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1) Describe the role of community infrastructure in the prevention of alcohol problems in youth. 2) Identify key infrastructure assets that are associated with reduced prevalence of alcohol problems in youth. 3) Evaluate infrastructure assets in one's own community.
Keywords: Adolescents, Alcohol
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.