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Hedonism or binging : comparing cultural factors influencing binge drinking of young adults in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands: Testing the TMBD model.

Liebrand, S.C.J. (2013) Hedonism or binging : comparing cultural factors influencing binge drinking of young adults in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands: Testing the TMBD model.

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Abstract:	Binge drinking is widely acknowledged as a major issue of concern for public health and society and has serious economical, social, physical and psychological consequences, especially for young adults (Fuller-Thompson, Sheridan, Sorichetti & Mehta, 2013; van Wersch & Walker, 2009). While the quantity of alcohol intake appears to be similar between the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands, there seem to be some significant drinking culture differences. The UK is sometimes labelled as a 'dry culture' whereas the Netherlands is labelled as a 'wet culture', people in the UK seem to go out to get drunk, whereas Dutch people tend to drink moderately, striving to hold their liquor (Gordon, Heim & MacAskill, 2012). To predict binge drinking, the Twente Model of Binge Drinking (TMBD) was developed by Pieterse, Boer and van Wersch (2010). The model entails psychosocial and cultural variables that predict substance use among adolescents. This study had two aims: 1) determine which TMBD factors are associated with binge drinking among young adults. 2) identify and compare culturally determined differences in causal mechanisms underlying binge drinking among young adults in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. To achieve the aims, a cross-national survey using a translated questionnaire was disseminated among young adults between 15 and 24 in the UK and the Netherlands. The questionnaire consisted of the five main components of the TMBD: 1) demographic variables; 2) substance use risk profile scales (SURPS); 3) cultural context; 4) substance use; 5) cognitive variables. Results show that 28 of the 37 included predictors were significantly correlated with monthly binge drinking frequency. The multivariate analysis showed that six out of eighteen predictors were significantly associated with binge drinking, namely: descriptive norm, perceived behavioural control, gender, drinking facility 'at home', leisure activity 'social-entertainment' and prototype. The multiple regression analysis per nationality however showed significant differences in predictors associated with binge drinking. The moderation analysis showed that the relation between gender and binge drinking and similarity and binge drinking were significantly moderated by nationality. Mediation analysis was performed with the emphasis on the cultural variables. It showed a partial mediation of subjective norm and attitude on the relationship between nationality and monthly binge drinking frequency. Social pressure, descriptive norm and moral norm were full mediators. Most results were in line with the expectations, considering the empirical basis of the TMBD. The results also confirmed the conjecture of cultural differences between the UK and the Netherlands. However, there are some limitations to the study. First, the populations had many significant differences and consisted mainly of students; second, the mediations were tested with cross-sectional data. This might have influenced the results. Furthermore, the shortened versions of the questionnaires, might have distorted the outcomes because it might not measure the exact behaviours. However, the outcomes of this study can be used as a starting point for further research examining the cultural differences between two apparent similar countries with regard to alcohol consumption. It might also be used to adapt interventions to the variables that strongly predict binge drinking in both countries, with the aim to reduce the harmful and costly consequences of binge drinking.
Item Type:	Essay (Master)
Faculty:	BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:	77 psychology
Programme:	Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/64068
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