Relationship of impulsivity and descriptive social norms with the practice of drinking before partying

Introduction. Prepartying (i.e., drinking before going out) is characterized by drinking high
quantities of alcohol in a short period of time. Despite the risk associated with this practice,
there is scarcity of studies on the prepartying in Argentina. Aim. This study examined the
occurrence of prepartying behaviors in adolescents from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires
and its association with impulsivity and prepartying descriptive norms. Method. A sample of 427
adolescents aged 13-18 years old completed a self-administered survey. Results. Almost half of
the participants reported at least one prepartying episode within the previous month where they
consumed an average of four standard units of alcohol. Prepartiers, compared to their drinking
peers that do not engage in prepartying behaviors, reported significantly higher drinking levels.
Age, three impulsivity (i.e., negative urgency, lack of perseverance and lack of premeditation)
and prepartying descriptive norms were significantly associated with prepartying outcomes.
Conclusions. Impulsivity and social descriptive norms might be useful to identify adolescents with
greater vulnerability to engage in this risky drinking practice.

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Authors

  • María Agustina Paternó Manavella - 1 Observatorio de la Deuda Social Argentina, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, Argentina.

  • Yanina Michelini - 3 Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología. Córdoba, Argentina. 4 Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi, Unidad Ejecutora CONICET. Córdoba, Argentina.

  • Gabriela Rivarola Montejano - 3 Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología. Córdoba, Argentina. 4 Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi, Unidad Ejecutora CONICET. Córdoba, Argentina.

  • Solange Rodríguez Espínola - 1 Observatorio de la Deuda Social Argentina, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Angelina Pilatti - 3 Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología. Córdoba, Argentina. 4 Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi, Unidad Ejecutora CONICET. Córdoba, Argentina.

Keywords:

Alcohol use, Prepartying, Impulsivity, Social norms, Adolescents.

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