Michele J. Moore, PhD¹, Chudley E. Werch, PhD², and Edessa C. Jobli, MPH, CHES². (1) Center for Research on Substance Abuse, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Building 39, Room 3042, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645, (904) 620-2847, mmoore@unf.edu, (2) Addictive & Health Behaviors Research Institute, University of Florida, 6852 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216

Rarely do studies of youth alcohol use report alcohol consumption patterns by beverage type, particularly high potency alcoholic beverages. The purpose of this unique study was to explore the longitudinal alcohol consumption patterns of adolescents by specific beverage type. In spring 2002, 9th grade students from three diverse high schools in northeast Florida were recruited into a 3-year longitudinal study on adolescent alcohol consumption. Data were collected from 660 eligible, primarily 9th grade students, who returned signed parental consents and youth assents, using a standardized survey in classrooms by trained research staff. One-year follow-up data were collected from 85% (n=560) of the original cohort in spring 2003. Repeated measures MANOVAs were run for each of six specific beverages (beer, wine, wine coolers, fortified wine, liquor, malt liquor) to assess change on six use measures (past year frequency; 30-day frequency, quantity, heavy use, chugging, consequences). Repeated measures MANOVAs were also run to assess change on 12 theory-based risk and protective factors for each of the beverages. Results indicated a significant decrease in all six consumption measures for wine, four consumption measures for wine coolers, and one consumption measure for fortified wine. Beverage-specific risk and protective factors showed a trend toward reduced risk on internal factors (resistance self-efficacy, willingness to avoid, influenceability, intentions to use), and increased risk on external factors (opportunity to drink, availability of alcohol, parent-child alcohol communication, peer prevalence). Logistic regressions indicating significant risk and protective factors for each beverage will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:


• Describe beverage-specific alcohol consumption patterns among a longitudinal cohort of high school youth;
• Describe trends in beverage-specific risk and protective factor changes among a longitudinal cohort of high school youth;
• List significant risk and protective factors predicting specific alcohol beverage use.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.