Date of Conferral

6-13-2024

Date of Award

June 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Delinda Mercer

Abstract

Children experimenting with alcohol is a phenomenon that has been occurring for decades, with the assumption that most children begin to experiment during adolescence. Research has addressed children over the age of 12 in numerous studies; however, little research has been directed at children between the ages of 9 and 10. In this study, the relationship between alcohol experimentation and sports participation was explored in children between the ages of 9 and 10 years old through a social learning theory lens. The study sample consisted of children aged 9-10 from across the country participating in the ABCD study. Many factors can influence alcohol experimentation, including peer groups, adverse childhood experiences, and sports participation. Social learning theory suggests that children learn from observing their environment and mimicking the behavior they find. Demographics, family structure, and other variables were explored to identify possible relationships and implications that can further research on this vulnerable population. The Chi-squared (2) statistic was 51.299, and the p-value was less than .001. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ2(4) = 27.402, p < .0005. The model explained 40.0% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in experimentation with alcohol and correctly classified 71.0% of cases. This analysis could open a new avenue for positive social change through continued research that may identify possible strategies that can assist schools and parents with the prevention or continued use of alcohol into adulthood and have positive outcomes leading to social change in communities.

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