Protective and Risk Factors of Alcohol Use Among Southeastern Pennsylvania Youth

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk and protective factors of alcohol use in the past 30 days among southeastern Pennsylvania youth. The study utilized the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) 2015 to analyze the findings. PAYS collected the data from youth in the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades on substance use perceptions and attitudes. The data were collected in odd years. Risk factors that showed important effects on youth alcohol use in the past 30 days were: (1) Community: laws and norms favorable toward drug use and perception of accessibility to drugs; (2) Family: family management, family history of antisocial behavior, and parental attitudes that favor drugs; (3) School: academic failure; and (4) Peer/Individual: all risk factors recognized by PAYS except depression and attitudes toward antisocial behavior. The only protective factor that showed significant effect on youth alcohol use in the past 30 days is family opportunities for involvement. This study also provides implications for social welfare policies, social work practices, education, and future research.