Factors predictive of alcohol consumption in a representative sample of French male teenagers: a five-year prospective study.

Abstract

In 1985 we surveyed 691 French male teenagers aged 13-18 years. Two thirds of the same sample was again surveyed in 1990. Average consumption was 3.2 1 ethanol/year in 1985 and 7.2 in 1990. The boys who drank least in 1990 were docile, contented, religious, and already well aware of the dangers of alcohol in 1985. They smoked less, drank less coffee and went out little. The heaviest drinkers in 1990 were dissatisfied with life, unconstrained and pessimistic in 1985. They went out a lot, smoked more and drank more coffee. We intend to survey the sample again in 1995.