Sign up for alerts

Winter 2011/12 | Vol 15 No 2

Research update

Mark de la Hey

Romantic partner’s friends influence youth drinking habits

The drinking habits of a romantic partner’s friends have more influence on youth drinking behaviour than the drinking habits of the romantic partner or of the young person’s own friends, according to a study from Pennsylvania State University in University Park. Researchers examined data about peer networks and drinking habits among 449 adolescent and teen couples from 94 schools across the United States, ranging from grade 7 to 12. They found that an increase in the frequency of drunkenness among a romantic partner’s friends increased the frequency of a young person’s drinking by 93 per cent, whereas a comparable increase in friends’ or partners’ drunkenness increased the frequency by 13 and 10 per cent, respectively. An increase in the frequency of drunkenness among a romantic partner’s friends increased the risk of binge drinking by 81 per cent, and a comparable increase in friends’ or partners’ drunkenness increased the risk by 30 and 32 per cent, respectively. The authors speculate that the pronounced effect of a partner’s friends on drinking behaviour has to do with the belief among youth that becoming friends with their partner’s friends will strengthen the romantic relationship and gain them entry into a socially desirable peer group. Partners’ friends also expose youth to new behaviours and opportunities which can motivate them to change their own behaviour.

American Sociological Review, v. 76(5): 737–763. Derek A. Kreager and Dana L. Haynie, Department of Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park.