Self-Esteem and Alcohol Use Among Youths

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of self-esteem on recent alcohol use (past 30 days) and recent binge drinking (five or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion) among youths. This study performed a secondary data analysis of the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent to Adult Health. All youth participants were in grades 7 through 12. Overall, recent alcohol use and recent binge drinking increased by grade level. Youths with low self-esteem were at increased odds for recent binge drinking among male and female students, White students, and students in grades 7 and 8 and grades 11 and 12.