The direct influence that parents

Adolescents and parents explained that drinking in adolescence is about fitting in with social norms. Younger adolescents explained that “teenagers just drink to try and fit in with their friends” (YA1) and older adolescents noted that “it’s what everyone else is doing and it’s part of the culture” (OA1). Parent groups agreed with this NMS-P715 perspective, stating that adolescents drink “because their friends are doing it” (PA1) and it’s because of “status, fitting in, and peer pressure” (PA1) as well as the desire for “belonging” (PA2) and “acceptance” (PA2).
Closely linked to this was the explanation that young people drink to have fun. According to participants in the adolescent groups, drinking is about “having fun with your friends” (OA3) and to “have a good time” (YA5). Similarly, one parent group explained that, “16 is like the age where alcohol is actually part of the party” (PA3).
Some adolescent groups identified a relationship between young people feeling depressed and drinking. For example, younger participants explained that “some of them might be a little bit angry and depressed; the drink might take that away” (YA1), and older adolescents said “if they’re sad or not feeling good about themselves they’ll be drinking” (OA1) and that “in times of depression when you’re not very happy so you drink – internal environment makes you better” (OA2). One parent group concurred, explaining that “some might drink because they’re really unhappy” (PA1).