Abstract

Although the legal drinking age is twenty-one, the age that a person begins to consume alcohol is decreasing. In a study in 1997, the average age of first alcohol use was 13.2 years old ( Maney, Higham-Gardill, & Mahoney, 2002). Drinking alcohol at a young age can lead to social problems and even delinquent behavior. It has been said that adolescent alcohol misuse has been shown to be part of a constellation of problem behaviors including delinquency and illicit drug use (Barnes, Welte, & Hoffman, 2002). Not only does it aid in future delinquency but also antisocial personality and health problems. Several studies have been done to discover the age and occurrences in which adolescents begin drinking and the possible consequences including but not limited to delinquent behavior, illicit drug use, sexual activity and longitudinal studies that project adult alcoholism. The main question in this particular research is to investigate if high school students who consume alcohol have a higher rate of social problems than those students who do not consume alcohol do. The reason for this research is the personal observance of adolescents who abuse alcohol, which resulted in problems with school and family life.

Recommended Citation

Friedhoff, Katherine (2003) "Research Proposal: The Effects of Alcohol on the Social Aspects of High School Students," Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 14.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/psych_journals/vol1/iss2/14