Citation

Calverley H, Petrass L, Blitvich J. Int. J. Aquatic Res. Educ. 2022; 13(3): e6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Bowling Green State University)

DOI

10.25035/ijare.13.03.06

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Globally, alcohol consumption is a public health issue and a risk factor for drownings among young adults. While studies have identified a prominence of alcohol in youth drownings, little is known about the factors that influence young adults' involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. The current study aimed to identify the predictors of young adults' intention to participate, and past participation, in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. A reliable and valid survey, informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, was distributed to young adults (aged 18-24 years) educated in the UK and Australia. Cumulative odds ordinal logistic regressions with proportional odds were conducted to establish predictors. Overall, 182 participants completed the survey. Subjective norms (Wald χ2 (2) = 8.43, p =.015), cognitive attitudes (Wald χ2 (2) = 6.40, p =.041) and previous involvement (χ2 (1) = 8.98, p =.003) were significant predictors of intention, whilst the influence of friends (Wald χ2 (2) = 10.99, p =.004) and intention (Wald χ2 (2) = 10.80, p =.005) were significant predictors of behavior. Practitioners should enhance risk awareness and norm perceptions in prevention programs to encourage informed decision making in social aquatic situations.

Language: en