Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents

Abstract Background This study aimed to examine the social gradient in self-reported alcohol-related harm (ARH) among young alcohol consumers by including a largely overlooked group of adolescents. We also explored the extent to which such a gradient could be attributed to differential exposure or d...

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Main Authors: Siri Thor, Jonas Landberg, Patrik Karlsson, Isabella Gripe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-10-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20485-x
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author Siri Thor
Jonas Landberg
Patrik Karlsson
Isabella Gripe
author_facet Siri Thor
Jonas Landberg
Patrik Karlsson
Isabella Gripe
author_sort Siri Thor
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study aimed to examine the social gradient in self-reported alcohol-related harm (ARH) among young alcohol consumers by including a largely overlooked group of adolescents. We also explored the extent to which such a gradient could be attributed to differential exposure or differential vulnerability to risk factors. Method Cross-sectional survey of upper-secondary students (n = 2996) in Sweden. Negative binomial regressions estimated the relationship between academic orientation (higher education preparatory; HEP, vocational; VP and introductory; IP) and ARH. To assess the contribution of explanatory factors, we estimated models that included risk factors such as heavy episodic drinking (HED). Results A graded association was observed between academic orientation and ARH, with more ARH among students in IP (IRR = 1.79) and VP (IRR = 1.43) than in HEP. Adjustments for risk factors attenuated the estimates by approximately half, but there was still 14% more ARH in VP and 50% more in IP than in HEP. The additive interaction test indicated a positive and significant interaction for students in VP who engaged in HED, versus students in HEP, who did not. Conclusion The findings suggest a negative gradient in the association between academic orientation and ARH, where the students in IP experienced the highest levels of ARH. While differential exposure and vulnerability to HED account for a significant proportion of the excess risk among VP students, HED seems to be less important relative to other risk factors among IP students. More research is needed to identify the mechanisms underlying the elevated levels of ARH among the most disadvantaged group—students enrolled in IP.
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spelling doaj-art-a7ea6d58d264495fa19afe2d7e8b040c2025-08-20T02:18:25ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-10-012411910.1186/s12889-024-20485-xAcademic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescentsSiri Thor0Jonas Landberg1Patrik Karlsson2Isabella Gripe3Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm UniversityDepartment of Social Work, Stockholm UniversityDepartment of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska InstitutetAbstract Background This study aimed to examine the social gradient in self-reported alcohol-related harm (ARH) among young alcohol consumers by including a largely overlooked group of adolescents. We also explored the extent to which such a gradient could be attributed to differential exposure or differential vulnerability to risk factors. Method Cross-sectional survey of upper-secondary students (n = 2996) in Sweden. Negative binomial regressions estimated the relationship between academic orientation (higher education preparatory; HEP, vocational; VP and introductory; IP) and ARH. To assess the contribution of explanatory factors, we estimated models that included risk factors such as heavy episodic drinking (HED). Results A graded association was observed between academic orientation and ARH, with more ARH among students in IP (IRR = 1.79) and VP (IRR = 1.43) than in HEP. Adjustments for risk factors attenuated the estimates by approximately half, but there was still 14% more ARH in VP and 50% more in IP than in HEP. The additive interaction test indicated a positive and significant interaction for students in VP who engaged in HED, versus students in HEP, who did not. Conclusion The findings suggest a negative gradient in the association between academic orientation and ARH, where the students in IP experienced the highest levels of ARH. While differential exposure and vulnerability to HED account for a significant proportion of the excess risk among VP students, HED seems to be less important relative to other risk factors among IP students. More research is needed to identify the mechanisms underlying the elevated levels of ARH among the most disadvantaged group—students enrolled in IP.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20485-xAlcohol useAdolescentsAlcohol-related harmSocial gradientStudentsSocio-economic status
spellingShingle Siri Thor
Jonas Landberg
Patrik Karlsson
Isabella Gripe
Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents
BMC Public Health
Alcohol use
Adolescents
Alcohol-related harm
Social gradient
Students
Socio-economic status
title Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents
title_full Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents
title_fullStr Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents
title_full_unstemmed Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents
title_short Academic orientation and alcohol-related harm among adolescents
title_sort academic orientation and alcohol related harm among adolescents
topic Alcohol use
Adolescents
Alcohol-related harm
Social gradient
Students
Socio-economic status
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20485-x
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AT patrikkarlsson academicorientationandalcoholrelatedharmamongadolescents
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