Attributes of the drinker prototype among Thai adolescents

Favorability of and perceived similarity to the attributes of the prototypical teen drinker (a known risk factor for adolescent alcohol use) have not been examined in Thailand. The purpose of this study was to identify the key attributes of the drinker prototype among Thai adolescents. Forty-three adolescents aged 13–15 were recruited from a public middle school in Ubon Ratchathani Province in Thailand’s northeast region. Participants first individually listed characteristics of adolescent Thai drinkers and then did the same in age/gender matched focus groups. Member checking with two to three participants from each focus group was conducted to validate the lists. Content analysis was used to identify the most relevant attributes of the adolescent drinker prototype. Six attributes were identified: sociable, fighter, talkative, cool, mature, and funny. These attributes were used to modify an existing prototype questionnaire so that favorability of and similarity to the drinker prototype can be examined in Thai adolescents.