Associations of Truancy, Perceived School Performance, and Mental Health With Alcohol Consumption Among Adolescents

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND This study examined associations of truancy, perceived school performance, and mental health with adolescents' week, weekend, and binge drinking. METHODS A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1167 secondary school students of Dutch ethnicity (mean age, 15.9 years, SD = 0.69). Alcohol consumption, truancy, perceived school performance, and mental health status were assessed with self‐report questionnaires. Ordinal regression analyses were performed to assess the associations. RESULTS Truancy (odds ratio [ OR ] = 2.53; 95% confidence interval [ CI ], 1.70‐3.77) and poorer mental health ( OR = 1.04; 95% CI , 1.02‐1.07) were associated with binge drinking more often. Truancy ( OR = 1.89; 95% CI , 1.14‐3.16) and poorer mental health ( OR = 1.06; 95% CI , 1.02‐1.09) were also associated with drinking (more) alcohol on week days. Furthermore, truancy ( OR = 2.60; 95% CI , 1.76‐3.83) and having an average ( OR = 1.81; 95% CI , 1.19‐2.77) or less than average ( OR = 3.65; 95% CI , 1.93‐6.90) perceived school performance were associated with drinking (more) alcohol on the weekend. CONCLUSIONS Findings of this study suggest that adolescents who are truant and/or have a poor mental health status are at increased risk of binge and week drinking. Furthermore, adolescents who are truant and/or have an average or less than average perceived school performance are at increased risk of weekend drinking.