Social associations and alcohol consumption in an Australian community sample: An egocentric social network analysis.
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined how social associations from a person's social network may be associated with their own alcohol consumption. METHOD: = 35.3 years), using egocentric social network analysis. Participants (egos) were recruited via a panel aggregator and completed an online survey about the frequency of their alcohol consumption and that of the 20 most influential people in their lives (alters). The survey also explored who these alters were (family, friends, work colleagues) and the interrelationships among these alters. RESULTS: Egos who consumed alcohol, or consumed alcohol more frequently, were surrounded by more alters who also drank alcohol and felt closer (had stronger ties) to these alters. These relationships remained statistically significant when controlling for demographic and other variables. The social networks of those who consumed alcohol more frequently were more densely intertwined. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol may serve to initiate social connections and be a "social glue" that reinforces relationships. These strong social associations present a potential barrier to individuals who wish to reduce their alcohol consumption because they have few close social connections who do not drink alcohol (or who do so infrequently), and their highly interconnected social networks make it difficult to socialize only with those who do not drink frequently. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
DOI: 10.1037/adb0000954
Authors: Alex M. T. Russell, Lauren Monds, Nerilee Hing, Jeremy Kroll, Alex M. Russell, Hannah B. Thorne
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4386019124