Neighbourhood Influences on Alcohol Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Ireland: A Longitudinal Analysis of Environmental Risk Factors

This study aims to address the lack of evidence on neighbourhood influences on youth drinking by examining alcohol use patterns among adolescents and young adults. In particular, it will contribute to the literature by using longitudinal data to clarify the role of neighbourhood characteristics in shaping alcohol-related behaviours, and by addressing inconsistencies and gaps in existing research. This research will use data from the Growing up in Ireland (GUI) study to examine the association between neighbourhood characteristics during childhood (Wave 1, aged 9 years), including urban-rural location, and later alcohol use behaviours among adolescents (Wave 3, aged 17/18 years) and young adults (Wave 4, aged 20 years). Specifically, data will be examined to investigate if these geographic features at age 9 are associated with the age at which alcohol is initiated and secondly, whether child’s neighbourhood characteristics at age 9 influence drinking behaviours in late adolescence and in early adulthood, i.e. age of alcohol initiation, frequency of drinking, frequency of heavy episodic drinking or binge drinking, and drinking behaviours.