In 2013/14, 20% of New Zealanders aged 15 years or more who drank alcohol in the past year reported a potentially hazardous alcohol consumption pattern.
Individual behaviour can be affected by environmental and peer influences including offers of alcohol, modeling of heavy drinking behaviour and perceived social norms.
People’s perceptions of the acceptability and prevalence of risky drinking patterns may influence their own drinking intentions and behaviour. Perceptions of drinking environments can also impact on people’s wellbeing and sense of personal safety. This fact sheet reports New Zealanders’ impressions regarding social behaviour and pressures in drinking environments.
Methodology
The 2013 Attitudes and Behaviour towards Alcohol Survey (ABAS 2013) included questions that assessed respondents’ feelings about drinking environments. Responses were collected on a five-point scale ranging from ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’.
Responses to these questions by adult respondents (age 18 years and over, n=3,821) were compared by gender, ethnicity, age and risky drinking behaviour. Statistically significant differences (p < .05) between groups are reported.
Key Results
• Just over half of New Zealand adults report that there are places they no longer go due to other people’s drinking behaviour.
• Close to one in three adults find it difficult to say they are not drinking in some situations. Younger people are more likely to feel that it is difficult to say they choose not to drink.
• Personal risky drinking behaviour does not appear to be related to people’s likelihood of avoiding places due to others’ drinking behaviour or of expectations about sexual banter late at night. Recent drinking to a risky level is, however, associated with stronger agreement that it can be difficult to say “I am not drinking”.
• One in four New Zealand adults expect sexual banter when they are out late. The wording of this question does not make it clear whether the banter referred to is welcome or unwelcome, or whether respondents expect that they will be taking part in this banter or having it directed at them.