Drinking motives supporting binge drinking of Inuit adolescents

Abstract

Objectives Binge drinking has been identified as a public health concern among several Indigenous communities in Canada. Drinking motives have been shown to significantly influence drinking patterns among youth, but no research has been conducted among Inuit populations. This article assesses whether specific drinking motives are related to the number of binge drinking episodes among Inuit adolescents from Nunavik. Methods The data are drawn from the Nunavik Child Development Study, a longitudinal study conducted in the Canadian Arctic. Questions on alcohol use, binge drinking and drinking motives were asked to 174 adolescents (mean age of 18.5 years). Analyses of variance were used to test the relation between drinking motives and number of binge drinking episodes over the last year. Results Most Inuit participants mentioned drinking for enhancement reasons. A higher number of binge drinking episodes were reported among both adolescent males and adolescent females who frequently endorse enhancement motives, while social and coping motives have been exclusively related to binge drinking episodes among males. Conclusion Findings highlight that motivational aspects supporting binge drinking among Inuit adolescents vary across sex and slightly contrast with studies conducted in non-Indigenous populations. Culturally relevant preventive interventions that target motivational aspects and take into account sex differences are needed.

Do Drinking Norms, Motives, and Drinking Behaviors Differ by Age Group among Korean Women?

“…In particular, the enhancement motive of the five motives significantly predicted both binge and high-risk drinking. These findings are consistent with research reporting that enhancement motives are the frequent drinking motivation reported among adolescents [ 13 ], with young adults [ 15 , 26 ] engaging in binge drinking. The social and conformity motives predicted only binge drinking and not high-risk drinking.…”

“…They also drank more and were significantly more likely to be binge drinkers or high-risk drinkers. Among the respondents, norms served as a standard for judging the appropriateness of their actions by observing others’ drinking behavior [ 5 , 8 , 13 ]. Consistent with prior research, the individuals in our study who overestimated the frequency and quantity of alcohol use by others were the heaviest drinkers [ 13 ].…”

“…Among the respondents, norms served as a standard for judging the appropriateness of their actions by observing others’ drinking behavior [ 5 , 8 , 13 ]. Consistent with prior research, the individuals in our study who overestimated the frequency and quantity of alcohol use by others were the heaviest drinkers [ 13 ]. In more practical terms, the results of this analysis have implications for the design of changing norms of effective alcohol-reduction policies.…”

“…Ko and Sohn [ 8 ] described it as “eating/drinking fests involving multiple rounds at multiple venues.” Some articles [ 5 , 8 ] have stated that drinking culture and motives have changed from “company dining” to “social drinking due to personal pressures.” In particular, one reason for drinking among younger generations and women is to enhance their activities or increase their fun rather than relieve stress. In many studies, the drinking motives discriminate between different drinking behaviors among men and women [ 13 ]. Enhancement and coping motives have been significantly related to binge drinking, while social motives have been linked to moderate drinking [ 13 ].…”

“…In many studies, the drinking motives discriminate between different drinking behaviors among men and women [ 13 ]. Enhancement and coping motives have been significantly related to binge drinking, while social motives have been linked to moderate drinking [ 13 ]. However, this kind of study to develop prevention strategies is currently neglected in public health interventions among Korean women.…”