Social drinking groups and risk experience in nightclubs: latent class analysis

Abstract

Nightclubs are a setting in which young adults purposefully seek out experiences, such as drug use and alcohol intoxication that can expose them to physical harm. While physical harm occurs fairly frequently within clubs, many patrons have safe clubbing experiences. Further, not all patrons experience potential harms the same way, as there are differences in aggression and intoxication. In this article we draw on data from a research study in which we sought to better understand the role of social drinking groups in experiences of risk within nightclubs, as the majority of patrons attend with others. We collected data from 1,642 patrons comprising 615 social drinking groups as they entered and exited nightclubs in a major U.S. city. We focused on six experiences that might cause physical harm: alcohol impairment, alcohol intoxication, drug use, physical aggression, sexual aggression, and impaired driving. We aggregated patron responses across social groups and used latent class statistical analysis to determine if and how experiences tended to co-occur within groups. This analysis indicated there were five distinct classes which we named Limited Vulnerability, Aggression Vulnerability, Substance Users, Impaired Drivers and Multi-Issue. We assessed the groups within each class for distinctions on characteristics and group context. We found differences in the groups in each class, such as groups containing romantic dyads experienced less risk, while those groups with greater familiarity, greater concern for safety, and higher expectations for consumption experienced more risk. Group composition has an impact on the experiences within a club on a given night, in particular when it comes to risk and safety assessment.

Identification and Assessment of Drug-User Groups Among Nightlife Attendees: Self-Reports, Breathalyzer-Tests and Oral Fluid Drug Tests

“…Moreover, such variations may translate into user groups characterized by the specific patterns of substance use, socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics and possibly -health and social consequences. Even though heterogeneity among nightlife patrons and their substance use behaviours is likely, studies examining these variations remain relatively scarce [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Better understanding of these individuals, both in terms of numbers and characteristics, may prove informative for a range of tailored policy responses.…”

Drinking contexts and their association with acute alcohol‐related harm: A systematic review of event‐level studies on adults' drinking occasions

“…Victim intoxication is associated with aggressive behaviour in young men and young women are more likely to be aggressive towards other women . Drinking in a larger group increases aggression victimisation and perpetration through increased consumption (mediation), while having a partner present increases the risk of aggression over and above any effect on consumption . Being in a social environment with others who encourage aggression is also risky .…”

“…Other hazardous contexts include drinking to celebrate , with conflicting findings on using illicit drugs among school leavers in Australia . Drinking with a meal reduces the likelihood of aggressive incidents .…”

“…Drinking in isolated locations (such as at home) predicts male students perpetrating sexual violence and alcohol consumption and pre‐drinking are associated with victimisation .…”

“…Playing drinking games on one's 21st birthday is associated with increased sexual violence perpetration and victimisation . Marijuana use and drinking to celebrate are also associated with victimisation.…”