| Popis: |
Introduction: the impact of programs to prevent alcohol consumption in adolescents can be increased by incorporating an environmental component. This paper explores the usefulness of behavioral economics to analyze the preference for the substance as a function of environmental variables. Objective: to evaluate the level of alcohol consumption in a group of Mexican adolescents, as a function of sex, age, access to consumption and reinforcement derived from substance-free activities. Method: a total of 7,569 high school students participated: 51% were male and 49% female. A multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate how the selected variables are related to the level of alcohol consumption. Results: the regression model was adjusted (F = 202.423, p < 0.01) and explained 33.6% of the variance (R2 = 0.336). Gender (being male), age, and access to consumption in social contexts were positively associated with the level of alcohol consumption. Academic, prosocial and cultural activities were negatively related to alcohol consumption; while the use of electronic media, social, physical and recreational activities had a positive relationship. Discussion and conclusions: tit is necessary to reduce access to alcohol consumption, both commercially, and in social and family contexts. Preventive interventions should promote the involvement of adolescents in activities incompatible with consumption and incorporate a social component to increase their level of reinforcement. |
