The neighbourhood social environment and alcohol use among urban and rural Scottish adolescents

Martin, G., Inchley, J. , Marshall, A., Shortt, N. and Currie, C. (2019) The neighbourhood social environment and alcohol use among urban and rural Scottish adolescents. International Journal of Public Health, 64(1), pp. 95-105. (doi: 10.1007/s00038-018-1181-8) (PMID:30511169) (PMCID:PMC6353998)

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Abstract

Objectives: This research examined the relationship between neighbourhood social environmental characteristics and drinking outcomes among a sample of urban and rural adolescents. Methods: From a sample of 1558 Scottish secondary schoolchildren, surveyed as part of the 2010 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, we modelled three drinking outcomes on a variety of neighbourhood conditions, including social cohesion, disorder, alcohol outlet density, deprivation, and urban/rurality. Nested and cross-classified multilevel logistic regressions were specified. Results: An urban-to-rural gradient was found with non-urban adolescents exhibiting higher odds of having ever drank. Neighbourhood social cohesion related to having ever drank. Among drinkers, those living in accessible small towns had higher odds of weekly drinking and drunkenness compared to urban areas. Higher odds of drunkenness were also found in remote rural areas. Those residing in the least deprived areas had lower odds of weekly drinking. Conclusions: In Scotland, inequalities exist in adolescent alcohol use by urban/rurality and neighbourhood social conditions. Findings support regional targeting of public health efforts to address inequalities. Future work is needed to develop and evaluate intervention and prevention approaches for neighbourhoods at risk.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding for the Scottish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children was provided by NHS Scotland. This work was also supported by the 600th Anniversary Ph.D. Scholarship which was awarded to Gina Martin by the University of St Andrews.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Inchley, Dr Joanna
Authors: Martin, G., Inchley, J., Marshall, A., Shortt, N., and Currie, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:International Journal of Public Health
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:1661-8556
ISSN (Online):1661-8564
Published Online:03 December 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © The Authors 2018
First Published:First published in International Journal of Public Health 64(1):95-105
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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