Peer Victimization and Alcohol Involvement among Adolescents Self-Selecting into a School-Based Alcohol Intervention

Abstract

To increase understanding of factors that prompt adolescents to seek alcohol-related services, this research examined the characteristics of youths who self-selected into a secondary alcohol intervention. Using a cross-sectional study of high school students (N = 6,748), the authors explored participants' alcohol involvement, alcohol-related problems, and bullying/peer victimization. Compared to students that did not self-select, intervention students were more likely to have more hazardous drinking experience, to drink alone, experience alcohol-related problems, report more bullying/peer victimization, be male, and be in the tenth grade. Findings provide support that this developmentally tailored approach to early intervention successfully attracted youths with an array of risk factors.