The relationship between group size, intoxication and continuing to drink after bar attendance

Abstract Objective The present study was undertaken to explore multilevel determinants of planning to continue to drink alcohol after leaving public drinking events. We assessed whether individual-level factors, group-related factors, or event-level bar characteristics were associated with post-bar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug and alcohol dependence 2013-11, Vol.133 (1), p.198-203
Main Authors: Reed, Mark B, Clapp, John D, Martell, Brandi, Hidalgo-Sotelo, Alexandra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcoholic Intoxication - psychology
Bars
Blood alcohol concentration
Breath alcohol
Breath Tests
Female
Group size
Group Structure
Humans
Individual differences
Intention
Intoxication
Male
Models, Psychological
Multilevel modeling
Patrons
Psychiatry
Social Behavior
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Summary:Abstract Objective The present study was undertaken to explore multilevel determinants of planning to continue to drink alcohol after leaving public drinking events. We assessed whether individual-level factors, group-related factors, or event-level bar characteristics were associated with post-bar drinking. Method We recruited a total of 642 participants from 30 participating bars in urban Southern California. Groups who arrived to patron a bar were interviewed upon their entrance and exit. Given data nesting, we employed a multilevel modeling approach to data analysis. Results More than one-third (40%) of our sample reported the intention to continue drinking as they exited the bar. Results of our multilevel model indicated eight individual-level variables significantly associated with intending to continue to drink. Time of night moderated the relationship between BrAC change and intentions to continue to drink. Although none of the group factors were significant in our model, a significant cross-level interaction between BrAC change and number of group members indicated the effect of intoxication on planning to continue to drink increases as group members increase. At the bar level, the presence of temporary bars and server offers of non-alcoholic drinks significantly decreased intentions to continue to drink. Conclusions Given the large percentage of participants who reported the intention to continue drinking after exiting a bar, this study draws attention to the fact that field studies of drinking behavior may assess drinking mid-event rather than at the end of a drinking event.
ISSN:0376-8716
1879-0046
DOI:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.004