The study was conducted over three months in Panjang Baru, a coastal area where most residents work in fisheries and marine sectors. Researchers interviewed adolescents aged 15–19 as primary informants, along with parents, community leaders, and village officials as supporting informants. The findings show that adolescent alcohol consumption is not merely experimental behavior but is shaped by complex interactions between psychological vulnerabilities and social influences.
A Persistent Public Health Concern
Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by identity formation and a strong desire for social acceptance. In Panjang Baru, many teenagers reported first encountering alcohol during junior or senior high school, typically introduced by peers.
The types of alcohol consumed range from bootleg liquor to illegally distributed alcoholic beverages. Drinking usually occurs in groups, often in beach areas, narrow alleys, or friends’ houses, particularly at night or during school hours.
The consequences extend beyond temporary physical symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. Psychologically, several adolescents admitted becoming more aggressive, emotionally unstable, and less able to control their behavior. Socially, alcohol use contributed to school absenteeism and increased conflict with parents.
Peer Pressure and Permissive Norms
The study identifies peer influence as the most dominant factor. Drinking alcohol is often perceived as a symbol of solidarity and belonging. Teenagers who refuse to participate risk exclusion from their social circles.
In addition, exposure to adults who regularly consume alcohol reinforces the perception that drinking is normal behavior. When alcohol consumption is socially tolerated or even normalized, adolescents are more likely to imitate it.
Maulida and her team emphasize that behavior is learned through observation and reinforcement. When teenagers receive social acceptance after drinking, the behavior becomes more likely to continue.
The Role of Low Self-Esteem
Self-esteem emerged as another key factor. Adolescents with low self-confidence were found to be more susceptible to social pressure. Alcohol is frequently used as a coping mechanism to temporarily boost confidence or escape personal problems.
Conversely, teenagers with stronger family support and healthier self-esteem demonstrated greater resilience against negative peer influence.
“Adolescents with low self-esteem often seek external validation. Alcohol becomes a tool to gain recognition and reduce emotional distress,” the researchers noted in their publication.
Weak Family Supervision Increases Risk
Family dynamics also play a crucial role. Limited parental supervision, poor communication, and negative adult role models increase adolescents’ vulnerability to alcohol use.
Some parents acknowledged difficulties in monitoring their children due to demanding work schedules. In coastal communities with irregular working hours, social control mechanisms may be less effective.
The researchers underline that consistent supervision and open communication within families serve as protective factors against risky behavior.
Policy and Community Implications
The findings demonstrate that adolescent alcohol consumption is a multidimensional issue requiring comprehensive solutions. Enforcement measures alone are insufficient without addressing underlying social and psychological factors.
The study recommends:
- Families strengthen communication and supervision.
- Schools integrate alcohol risk education into counseling and character-building programs.
- Community leaders discourage the normalization of alcohol consumption.
- Local governments tighten regulation and monitoring of alcohol distribution, particularly in areas accessible to minors.
Without coordinated intervention, alcohol use among adolescents could undermine human capital development, particularly in regions experiencing demographic growth. However, with sustained preventive efforts, vulnerable youth populations can be redirected toward productive and healthy pathways.
Protecting the Demographic Dividend
Panjang Baru has a significant adolescent population, representing potential support for regional development. Yet early alcohol exposure increases the risk of accidents, violence, and long-term social burdens.
This study underscores the importance of community-based prevention strategies that reshape social norms and strengthen youth resilience.
Author Profile
Nora Dina Maulida, S.KM. is a public health researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pekalongan, specializing in adolescent health and community-based behavioral studies.
The study was co-authored by Rr. Vita Nurlatif, S.KM., M.Kes., Wahyuningsih, S.KM., M.Kes., and Imam Purnomo, S.KM., M.Kes., all affiliated with the same faculty and experienced in public health promotion and preventive health research.
Source of the Study
Maulida, N. D., Nurlatif, R. V., Wahyuningsih, & Purnomo, I. (2026). Qualitative Study of Alcohol Consumption Behavior among Adolescents in Panjang Baru Village, Pekalongan City. International Journal of Sustainable Applied Sciences, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 111–120.
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