Published online April 1, 2008
PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 Supplement April 2008, pp. S235-S251 (doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2243A)
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SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE


Underage Drinking: A Developmental Framework

Ann S. Masten, PhDa, Vivian B. Faden, PhDb, Robert A. Zucker, PhDc,d and Linda P. Spear, PhDe

a Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
b Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland
c Department of Psychiatry
d Addiction Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
e Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York

A developmental framework for understanding and addressing the problem of underage alcohol consumption is presented. The first section presents the rationale for a developmental approach, including striking age-related data on patterns of onset, prevalence, and course of alcohol use and disorders in young people. The second section examines the fundamental meaning of a developmental approach to conceptualizing underage drinking. The third section delineates contemporary principles of developmental psychopathology as a guide to future research and intervention efforts. Strategic, sensitive, and effective efforts to address the problem of underage drinking will require a developmentally informed approach to research, prevention, and treatment.

Key Words: development • drinking • alcohol

Abbreviations: AUD—alcohol use disorder

Accepted Nov 27, 2007.