Buddhism and adolescent alcohol use in Thailand

Subst Use Misuse. 2006;41(13):1789-800. doi: 10.1080/10826080601006490.

Abstract

A sample of 2019 Thai secondary school students in grades equivalent to U.S. 10 through 12 completed a 43-item alcohol expectancy questionnaire in June 2000. Factor analysis revealed four factors: (a) positive expectancies, (b) negative expectancies, (c) sex and power expectancies, and (d) religious expectancies. Practicing Buddhists were less likely to drink than nonpracticing Buddhists and had fewer positive and more negative expectancies about alcohol. Among students who did drink, Buddhist beliefs did not appear to influence whether or not they were binge drinkers. Buddhist beliefs may influence decisions to drink but not decisions related to drinking patterns.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking*
  • Buddhism*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Thailand