Alcohol consumption and expectations of its effects in the border region of Pomerania: comparison of German and Polish adolescents.

The study focused on expectations of alcohol effects and patterns of consumption in German and Polish adolescents in the border region of Pomerania. In 2005/2006 a cross-sectional study was conducted in various schools. Adolescents with an average age of 14 from one German town (Greifswald) and two Polish towns (Szczecin and Kolobrzeg) were assessed using the ESPAD (European School Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) questionnaire. Altogether 757 (444 Polish and 313 German) students in their 7th and 8th grades were assessed. Differences between alcohol consumption patterns and expectations between Germany and Poland, and relationships between alcohol consumption and anticipated alcohol effects were tested. There is a difference in patterns of consumption between the two countries. Among all adolescents, expectations of positive alcohol effects dominated, and the negative effects were estimated to be less likely. In a country-specific comparison, German students estimated the occurrence of positive as well as negative effects to be likely. Adolescents who consumed a lot of alcohol in both countries estimated the positive effects to be stronger. Adolescents are more focused on short-term experiences than the long-term consequences of alcohol consumption. The results show potential targets for prevention and intervention of future risky consumption and alcohol use disorders.