Predicting Young Adults’ Intentions and Involvement in Alcohol-Influenced Aquatic Activity

Authors

Hannah L M Calverley, Federation University AustaliaFollow
Lauren A. Petrass Ph.D., Federation University AustraliaFollow
Jennifer D. BlitvichFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.13.03.06

Disciplines

Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Exercise Science | Health and Physical Education | Kinesiology | Leisure Studies | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy | Public Health | Sports Sciences | Sports Studies

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.

Recommended Citation

Calverley, Hannah L M; Petrass, Lauren A. Ph.D.; and Blitvich, Jennifer D. (2021) "Predicting Young Adults’ Intentions and Involvement in Alcohol-Influenced Aquatic Activity," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: Vol. 13: No. 3, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.13.03.06
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol13/iss3/6