Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Abstract

A Cross-sectional Study Examining Factors Associated with Youth Binge Drinking in the COMPASS Study: Year 1 Data

Alin C Herciu, Rachel E Laxer, Adam Cole and Scott T Leatherdale

Frequent alcohol use and binge drinking are associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Using data from 17,497 grade 9 to 12 students participating in the COMPASS Study (Year 1), we examined the factors associated with current alcohol use and current binge drinking. Overall, 38.4% of students were considered current alcohol users and 25.5% were current binge drinkers. Tobacco or marijuana use, bullying others, weekly spending money, ethnicity, and grade were associated with increased likelihood of current alcohol use and current binge drinking. It is evident that a substantial number of youth in the Year 1 COMPASS sample report frequently using alcohol and in volumes considered harmful to their health. Considering that numerous risk factors were found to predict alcohol use and binge drinking, future research should evaluate the impact of tailoring interventions to change the modifiable factors associated with high-risk drinking or targeting interventions to at-risk youth.