Prediction Model for Alcohol Consumption in Young Football Players in Germany
In: Zeitschrift für Gesundheitspsychologie: European journal of health psychology, Band 24, Heft 4, S. 180-192
ISSN: 2190-6289
Abstract. Alcohol consumption among adolescents is higher in athletes, especially in team sports such as football, compared with nonathletes. This study investigated factors influencing alcohol consumption in adolescent football players in Germany. Structural equation modeling was used to understand how the different predictors work together, thereby improving alcohol prevention in the field of football. The hypothesized model was largely confirmed and the most significant predictive factor of alcohol consumption was the drinking behavior of friends. Alcohol expectancies and drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) were also shown to impact alcohol use. Friend norms regarding alcohol use had little influence on alcohol consumption. There was no direct association between alcohol consumption and the motivational climate during football training (task and competitive orientation) and support provided by the coach. This highlights the importance of focusing on adjusting the perception of alcohol use in friends and alcohol use norms as well as social self-efficacy in resisting peer pressure to drink in alcohol prevention strategies in team sport.