Drinking buddies: Who are they and when do they matter?

Abstract

The present study sought to further examine the role of peers on alcohol use and problems among young adults. In particular, we focused on a specific subset of peers in one’s social network mostly for activities related to alcohol use called “drinking buddies.” The presence of drinking buddies in one’s social network has been shown to predict heavy drinking uniquely over but few studies have focused on potential factors moderating the relationship. Consequently, an aim of present study was to examine the influence of drinking buddies on alcohol outcomes and the extent to which the relationship may be dependent on one’s normative perceptions. Another aim was to provide a descriptive examination of drinking buddies. Participants were college students (N = 250; 72.8% women) who completed self-report measures of alcohol use and problems, injunctive norms, descriptive norms, and social network characteristics. Results showed that descriptive norms moderated the relationship between drinking buddies and all alcohol outcomes assessed. Specifically, the influence of drinking buddies was stronger for those who perceived a lower prevalence of peer drinking. Examination of drinking buddies characteristics revealed that these peers tended to be young adults who were moderate social drinkers with whom they felt close and perceived to be available for concrete and emotional support. Several differences emerged between the drinking buddies of heavy versus non-heavy drinkers. The present study contributed to the larger body of work on peer influence and alcohol use by examining a specific subgroup of peers that may promote risky drinking.

Sweetened ethanol drinking during social isolation: enhanced intake, resistance to genetic heterogeneity and the emergence of a distinctive drinking pattern in adolescent mice

“…This suggests that although socially housed adolescent mice drink less than their chronically isolated counterparts, they nevertheless drink in a temporally coordinated fashion. Although more detailed behavioral analyses are required to characterize this finding, it is particularly interesting because human adolescents are highly capable of influencing the drinking levels of peers (Astudillo et al ., 2013; Lau-Barraco & Linden, 2014; Robinson et al ., 2015; see Anacker et al ., 2011b for an example in rodents), which could also affect when individuals drink.…”

Friends or foes: Group influence effects on moderate drinking behaviors

“…This interpersonal perspective is defined as we-intentions, which are considered as the intention to participate in a group and act as an agent of the focal group (e.g., a friendship group). This collective intention is incorporated in theorizing alcohol behaviors because numerous studies have noted the direct impact peers have on individual drinking (e.g., Ali & Dwyer, 2010;Lau-Barraco & Linden, 2014). Furthermore, findings from these studies suggest that among peers, young drinkers channel, select, and adjust behaviors and goals important to both their individual and group identity.…”

Personal networks of women in residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment

“…Quality of network relationships for women with addictions correlate with likelihood of relapse (Ellis, Bernichon, Yu, Roberts, & Herrell, 2004). Indeed, recovery-oriented personal networks and non-using personal network ties contribute to positive treatment outcomes and the maintenance of sobriety during recovery for both women and men (Gordon & Zrull, 1991; Lau-Barraco & Linden, 2014; Walton, Blow, Bingham, & Chermack, 2003; Weisner, Delucchi, Matzger, & Schmidt, 2003). …”