Chapter 4

Presentation, Interpretation, and Analysis of Data

This chapter includes the presentation, interpretation, and analysis of the data gathered.

The data gathered from the survey were tallied, classified, and organized by the researchers in

order to come up with more coherent findings and to be able to answer the research questions.

Alcohol abuse, as one of the problems adolescents face, has some influencing factors that

could help the problem to either alleviate or aggravate. Determining these influencing factors is

the main purpose of the researchers in order to raise awareness and prevent the possible abuse.

A case study was conducted to identify the influencing factors of alcohol use among

adolescents. This study includes the socio-demographic profiles of the respondents in terms of: (1)

gender, (2) age, (3) religion, (4) type of residence, (5) main source of allowance. The study also

includes their alcohol drinking practices and the main factors associated to their drinking.

The respondents for this case study were composed of selected Senior High School students

in TIP-QC, particularly the Grade 11 students of the STEM strand. The researchers surveyed the

Grade 11 STEM students of both AM and PM sessions. Only the students who engage in alcohol

drinking were selected as the respondents.

A. Presentation and Interpretation of Data

I. The socio-demographic profiles of the respondents

1. Gender

Male
Female

Figure 4.1. Percentage of the gender of the respondents.

The chart above shows the percentage of male and female respondents who drink alcohol.

The results say that 163 of respondents are male and 69 are female. This reveals that 70% of the

respondents are male and that only 30% are female.

2. Age

Age
Number of respondents
200
150
100
50
0
15 and below 16 17 18 19 and Above

Figure 4.2. Age distribution among the respondents.

 The graph shows the age distribution among the respondents. The results show that most

of the respondents, 162 in particular, are aged 17 years old while 47 of them are 16 years old.

These reveals that most of these students are not yet in the legal age to drink alcohol. On the other

hand, there were 22 respondents that are already 18. Also, there was one respondent that belongs

to the group that aged 19 and above.

3. Religion

Religion
Number of respondents
200
150
100
50
0
Catholic Christian Hindu Islam Animist Others

Figure 4.3. Religion where the respondents belong.

The graph shows in what religion does the respondents belong. It is shown that majority of

the respondents are Catholic, specifically, 184 respondents. There were 30 students that belong to

Christianity. Moreover, there was one student that is Hindu and also another student that is

Muslim. However, there were respondents that belong to other religions. Twelve respondents said

that they are Mormon, Protagonist, COCC, Agnostic, and Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC). Also, there were

four respondents that do not belong in any religion.

4. Type of residence

Dormitory
With Parents
Alone
With Relatives
Others

Figure 4.4. The respondents’ type of residence.

The chart shows where does the respondents live. Majority, 83% of the respondents, lives

with their parents. While, 9% and 6% live with their relatives and with their own, respectively.

Moreover, the remaining 2% stay in a dormitory.

5. Main source of allowance

Parents
Friends
Relatives
Government scholar
Fellowship/grant
Salary
Others

Figure 4.5. Main sources of the respondents’ allowance.

 The chart shows the respondents’ main source of allowance. Majority, 94% of the

respondents, get their allowance from their parents. While, 3% of them do not depend on others

and work for their own. These respondents use the salary they earn in their jobs for their allowance.

The 2% of the respondents get their allowance from their relatives and the remaining 1% were

sponsored by the local government as their scholars.

II. Alcohol Drinking Practices

Q6: How often do you drink alcohol in a week?

Once
Twice
Three times
Four times
Five times
Six times
Seven times

Figure 4.6. Weekly drinking frequency of the respondents.

The graph shows the drinking frequency of respondents in a week. Most of the respondents,

specifically 72% of them, drink once a week. While, 11% of them drink twice a week. However,

6% of the respondents said that they do not drink alcohol on a weekly basis. The fourth largest in

the chart, 5%, were the respondents who drink seven times a week. The 3% and 2% are for the

respondents who drink thrice and five times a week, respectively. Also, there were two respondents

who said they drink six times a week and one respondent that drinks four times a week.
Q7: What time do you usually like to drink alcohol?

Time
Number of respondents
100
80
60
40
20
0
No specific Late night Evening Afternoon Morning
time

Figure 4.7. The time the respondents usually drink.

The graph shows the time the respondents usually drink. Seventy-nine of the respondents

said that they usually drink at late nights. While, there were 78 respondents who do not have a

specific time of drinking. Also, there were 63 respondents that usually drink during evening. In

addition, there were nine respondents that drink during afternoons. However, there were only three

respondents that said they drink during morning.

Q8: On what occasion/s do you usually drink alcohol?

Festivals
Institutional parties
Wedding parties
Birthdays
Holidays
Sports events
After exams
No specific

Figure 4.8. Occasions where the respondents drink.

 The chart shows the occasions where the respondents usually drink. The largest portion,

with 51%, do not have a specific occasion where they usually drink. The second largest, with 31%,

usually drink on birthday parties. While, 10% of the respondents drink during holidays. The 3%

of the respondents said that they often drink on traditional festivals in their town. However, 3% of

the respondents drink on other events like events on the beach. Lastly, the remaining 1% often

drink on institutional parties.

Q9: Where do you usually drink?

Bar
Entertainment shops
Beer shops
House
Friend's house
Dormitory
Others

Figure 4.9. Places where the respondents drink.

The chart shows the percentage of the places where the respondents usually drink. It shows

that majority, 48% of the respondents, usually drink in their friend's house. While the 29% of them

chose to drink in their own house. However, there were 11% that usually drink on other places.

These students do not have a specific place where they usually drink. Also, there were 9% that

said they usually drink on bars. The other 2% said that they drink in beer houses, while the 1% of

the respondents said that they often drink in entertainment shops and in their dormitory.
Q10: With whom do you usually drink alcohol with?

Family
Friends from Dormitory
Relatives
Friends outside the school
Teacher
Boyfriends
Girlfriends
Alone
No Specific

Figure 4.10. The respondents’ usual companions upon drinking.

The chart shows the percentage of with whom the respondents usually drink. The 34.78%

of the respondents said that they do not have a specific companion. While, 33.48% said that they

usually drink with their friends outside the school. There were also 14.78% of the respondents that

often drink with their family. Also, the 3.91% said that their friends inside the school are their

usual companions. The respondents who often drink with their relatives were only 3.48% of the

whole population of respondents. The ones who drink alone are only 3.48%. However, there were

3.04% and 2.17% that drink with their friends in the dormitory and girlfriends, respectively. The

remaining 0.88% are the respondents who drink with their boyfriends.
Q11: What kind of alcohol do you usually drink?

Beer
Wine
Whisky
Others

Figure 4.11. The kinds of alcohol the respondents drink.

The chart shows the percentage of the kinds of alcohol the respondents usually drink. The

majority, with 46.51%, said that they drink different kinds of alcohol. These kinds include brandy,

tequila, cocktail, gin, and rum. While, 35.82% said that they usually drink beers. The 9.30% of

respondents said they drink wines and 8.37% said they drink whisky.

Q12: How many bottles/cups of alcohol do you usually drink?

Number of bottles/cups
Number of respondents for beer
Number of respondents for wine/whiskey/rum
60
40
20
0
1 2 botttles/2 3 bottles/3 4 bottles/4 5 bottles/5
botttle/1cup cups cups cups cups

Figure 4.12. The amount of alcohol consumption (in bottles or cups) of the
respondents.
 The graph shows the amount of alcohol the respondents usually consume. For beer, 43 of

the respondents said they consume at least five bottles. While, 33 of them consume only a bottle

of beer. Also, 28 of the students said they consume three bottles of beer. There were also 23

respondents who drink two bottles and 13 respondents who drink four bottles.

For wine, whiskey, and rum, 39 respondents said they consume at least five cups. While,

20 of the respondents drink three cups and 13 respondents for usually drink a single cup only.

Eleven respondents said they often drink two cups of wine, whiskey, or rum. The remaining nine

respondents said they drink four cups only.

III. Main Factors Associated to Alcohol Drinking Practices

Q1: Who influenced you to start drinking alcohol? How did he/she encourage you to drink?

Friends

The respondents enumerated different people who they said encouraged them. Most

of them said that their friends were the ones who encouraged and influenced them. They

engaged in alcohol drinking because they were curious about the feeling their friends

experience whenever they get drunk. Other respondents said that it was because of peer

pressure. They wanted to be "in" in their circle of friends that is why every time there is an

occasion or whenever their friends want to drink, they also tend to drink. To sum up, it was

revealed that most of the respondents were encouraged by their friends. They are also the

reason why many respondents, who do not usually drink or do not drink at all, were exposed

to alcohol consumption and were engaged to continue alcohol drinking.

 Family

Family members and relatives were also considered as the ones who encouraged

some respondents to drink. Many respondents gave emphasis to various family occasions

such as parties, gatherings, or even traditions as on when and how they were convinced by

their family members to drink with them. Also, some respondents wanted to establish a

good connection with their family and relatives that is why they also engaged in alcohol

drinking. In addition, they said that they tend to learn from their parents because they were

the ones who convinced that respondents that drinking is a normal part of life specially

when growing up.

None

Some respondents were not encouraged by anyone to engage in drinking. Those

respondents said they became curious about the taste of an alcoholic drink that it pushed

them to try it. Others said they drank alcohol for research and study purposes. They said

that there is a need for them to have experience about these things. However, there were

some respondents who drank alcohol to temporarily forget their problems in life.

Q2: At what age did you start drinking alcohol? How frequent and how much do you drink when

you started drinking?

Based on the results, there were some respondents that started to drink at age of 12 and

below. Most of them said that during that time, they drink one and a half bottle of alcohol and it is

usually done once or twice a month. Others said that during that age, they just drink occasionally

and not that often. Conversely, some respondents said that they started drinking at the age of 13.
According to them, they consumed three to four bottles of alcohol. They said that they usually

drink on a weekly basis and during the holidays. There were also some respondents who started

their alcohol drinking when they were 14 years old. They said they consumed one to eight bottles

or a whole case of alcohol. Also, they said that they only drink occasionally, or only once or twice

a month. Other respondents answered that they started to drink at the age of 15. They said that

their average consumption was two to three cups or a full bottle of alcohol weekly. While others

answered that they just drink during occasions. In addition, some of the respondents started to

drink when they were 16 years old. These respondents said they drink once or twice a week or

whenever they have problems. During that age, they consumed one to five glasses or two bottles

of alcohol. Furthermore, most of the respondents who answered that they started alcohol drinking

at the age of 17 drink occasionally and not that often. There were others that said they drink half

glass of alcohol weekly or twice a month.

Q3: What made you decide to continue alcohol drinking after your first try?

There were various reasons that made the respondents to continue drinking alcohol. One

of the main reasons was the encouragement from the friends and relatives of the respondents. Some

respondents continued drinking alcohol because someone close to them persuaded them to do so.

There were also some who were forced to drink. In these, the influence of peers and relatives to

the alcohol usage of adolescents is clearly shown. Another reason why some respondents

continued to drink was the satisfaction they get from it. Some of them loves and enjoys the feeling

of intoxication the alcohol gives. Moreover, there were respondents that received pleasure from

drinking alcohol. In addition, there were also some of them who continued to drink because of

curiosity. After their first try, they became more curious about alcohol drinking that became a

reason for them to try it again and again. On the other hand, some respondents pointed out the fun
of drinking as their reason. This includes the fun that alcohol gives in occasions, bonding with

friends, or whenever they feel lonely or stressed. Above all, these answers from the respondents

show the factors that affected their alcohol drinking. These factors are just some of the influencing

factors of alcoholism among adolescents that this research would like to find out.

Q4: Do you enjoy drinking alcohol? Why?

Most of the respondents agreed when they were asked if they enjoy drinking alcohol. Some

of the respondents enjoyed drinking alcohol because of the feeling it gives to them. Respondents

said that whenever they drink, they feel relaxed and comfortable. They said that alcohol makes

them escape from reality by taking away their stress, pain, and problems. It is like alcohol gave

them happiness for a moment. Others enjoy drinking because of the special bond it makes with

their significant others like their friends. They said that drinking alcohol creates good memories

with their friends. With alcohol, they can easily voice out their feelings and establish good talks

with their companions. Alcohol was able to make them express theirselves naturally. However,

there were some respondents who does not have any deep or special reason why they enjoy

drinking. Some enjoys drinking alcohol just because it eventually gives them a good sleep. There

were some that enjoys drinking because it helps them overcome their boredom. The reasons

discussed above proves that alcohol has been a constant part of these respondents’ lives because it

has already established a special purpose in it.

On the other hand, there were some respondents that do not really enjoy drinking alcohol.

According to them, they just enjoy drinking if they have a huge need for happiness. Particularly,

they just crave for alcohol whenever they need some break from the stress they receive everyday.

This means that alcohol is not always a constant need, but sometimes only an option.
 Moreover, even alcohol drinkers have times when they do not enjoy drinking at all. There

were some factors that made them dislike the drink they usually consume. Some of the respondents

said that they do not enjoy it because of the weird taste and feeling it gives. They said that alcohol

just makes them dizzy and even vomit. However, there were some respondents that do not enjoy

drinking because of its immorality. Respondents said that drinking alcohol is unhealthy and bad

especially for their age. And that, alcohol just leads them to troubles because sometimes under the

influence of alcohol, it is hard for them to control theirselves. In addition, some respondents

stopped enjoying alcohol because they fear about the possible abuse in drinking. Overall, it is

shown that even the ones who had consumed alcohol more than once could still not enjoy alcohol

drinking.

Q5: Give at least two (2) main factors associated to your drinking habit. Explain how these factors

led you to drink alcohol.

Peer Factor

Most of the respondents answered that they were influenced by their friends to try

alcohol. Some were forced to drink and most of them can't decline their friends' offer.

While others were compelled to drink during occasions. Also, a good number of

respondents stated that they drank alcohol because it is their way of bonding with their

friends.

Family Factor

The respondents stated a lot of ways on how their families became a factor

associated to their drinking habit. Most of the respondents were influenced and convinced
to drink alcohol. During celebrations, some respondents were asked to drink alcohol by

their family. Some respondents answered that it is in their family tradition that one must

try drinking alcohol. There were other respondents who said that family problems are their

reason why they drink alcohol. Others said that they were looking forward to family

bonding which includes private conversations.

Personal Factor

Based on the survey, many respondents who mentioned this factor said that it was

their curiosity that pushed them to try alcohol. They wanted to know the feeling of drinking

alcohol. There were also some respondents who said that they drink alcohol to be able to

think about their decisions in life.

Other Factors

There were also other miscellaneous factors the respondents stated in the survey.

These includes the occasion factor, emotion factor, sleep factor, heartbroken factor and

boredom factor. Many respondents said that they drink alcohol when there are occasions.

A considerable number of respondents drink alcohol to forget their problems for a while.

There were also respondents who used alcohol to induce sleep. Some respondents said that

by drinking alcohol, they reduce the pain they feel. And also, there were some respondents

who said that they drink alcohol whenever they have nothing to do.
Q6: Are you aware of the possible effects of drinking alcohol?

Yes
No
Does not care

Figure 4.13. The percentage of the awareness of the respondents on the possible
effects of alcohol

The chart above shows the percentage of respondents who were aware and not aware of

the possible effects of drinking alcohol. Majority, 89.78% of the respondents, said they were aware

of the possible effects while 9.49% said they were not aware. However, 0.73% said that the

possible effects of drinking alcohol do not matter at all.

Q7: Do you agree on alcoholism among SHS students? Why or why not?

Some of the respondents agreed on alcoholism among students. They said that the students

were responsible and mature enough to drink. According to some respondents, they agree on

alcoholism among SHS students because drinking alcohol makes them happy by relieving their

stress and helping them to escape from their problems. The rest of the respondents who agreed on

this matter considered alcohol as a good part of life.

There were also respondents who disagreed with alcoholism among Senior High School

students. They said that not all SHS students are allowed to drink yet because there were some that
are still under aged. While others said that alcohol is an addictive substance that brings bad effects

to people. Also, some of the respondents answered that if a student gets addicted to alcohol, he/she

skip classes just to engage in drinking. According to them, it can have a perilous effect to a

student’s academic performance and health. Moreover, they said that alcoholism can ruin the life

of an individual because it can also affect their future. Finally, the rest of the respondents explained

that alcoholism is just a big distraction for the students.

Q8: In your opinion, can abuse in alcohol consumption be prevented?

Some respondents said that prevention in alcohol abuse is possible. They said that if a

person wants to stop his/her drinking, he/she will do it. It means prevention depends on the person.

While some respondents said that the best way to prevent the possible abuse is through proper

guidance from adults. According to them, this method is essential for young people that are starting

to get addicted to alcohol. On the other hand, some respondents said that parents can also be an

important part of the prevention. They enumerated some ways that parents can do like cutting off

their child’s allowance. With this, their children will not be able to afford alcoholic beverages

anymore. Lastly, according to the rest of the respondents who said yes, the strong implementation

of policies on alcohol drinking is the best way to prevent the abuse. With that, surely, alcohol

drinkers would be afraid to continue their drinking habits.

If there were respondents who thinks it is possible, there were some who believes that

prevention in alcohol abuse is impossible. Most of the respondents said that the differences among

people’s perspectives are the main reason why it is impossible. People have different views in life,

so, one cannot just force a person to stop their habits. While some respondents said that alcohol

drinking is already a beloved habit which cannot be removed from a person’s life. Also, others
said that throughout the years, alcohol made people happy and already established strong bonds

among different people.

B. Analysis of Data

There is an existing considerable body of related literatures which revealed the perceptions

of adolescents on alcohol and alcohol drinking. Moral, Paniagu, Garcia, and de Torres (2015)

explained that for some adolescents, alcohol drinking is a normal habit among people (as cited by

Roy, Ikonen, Keinonen, & Kumar, 2017). In addition, some people believes that drinking alcohol

has good effects on the body (de Frietas & Luis, 2015).

Based on the answers from respondents, researchers found that adolescents have different

perceptions about alcoholism. According to some of them, alcohol drinking is only good once they

reached the legal age. On the other hand, some respondents stated that students must avoid the

usage of alcohol because it only gives a negative effect on their life.

The related studies and the survey conducted by the researchers have different findings.

The similar studies have found out that adolescents see alcohol drinking as a self-esteem booster.

On the other hand, researchers learned from the survey that adolescents see alcohol drinking as an

escape from their problems. Although respondents also perceive the bad effects of drinking to their

health. Despite of the differences, these studies show the different perceptions of adolescents

toward alcohol and alcohol drinking.

Most of the researchers in the field agree that parenting plays an important role in

influencing their children, especially adolescents to engage in alcohol drinking activities.

Latendresse, Rose, and Dick (2008) stated that parenting serves as a mediator between parental
and adolescents’ drinking practices. The studies conducted by Gerald, K. and Gerald, C. (2010)

and Zwaluw et. al (2008) both agreed that parental drinking problems have a significant role in

their children’s drinking. Also, Abar and Turrisi (2008) said that the supervision and approval

from the parents affect the drinking of the adolescents. In relation to that, Ryan, Jorm, and Lubmon

(2010) also said that the parenting variables that may affect the drinking are the relationship of the

parents to their child and the parental monitoring factors.

Based on the data collected, most of the respondents who said that their parents had been

a factor in their alcohol drinking said that they were encouraged to try alcohol for the first time to

know its taste and the drunken feeling it gives. There were other who said that they were expected

to drink alcohol whenever there are family occasions. Some were also convinced to drink because

of the problems they have with their parents. They used alcohol to divert their attention from the

problem and to have fun instead.

The data shows the influence of parents to the alcohol drinking of adolescents. It is true

that parents do have an influence to the alcoholism of adolescents, thus supporting the previous

studies that were conducted. However, there were no previous studies regarding the tradition the

families have which is related to alcohol drinking.

Most of the recent works about the influencing factors of alcohol use revealed the relevance

of peer factors. Catacutan (2011) stated that peers are the reason why adolescents tend to use

various substances such as cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. Also, she explained that adolescents have

a feeling of belongingness whenever they are with their friends. Moreover, according to Quinn

and Fromme (2011), alcohol use increases in the transition out of high school since college students

tend to hangout more and even live with some members of their social group. Also, Huang, Unger,
and Valente (2014) explained that friends’ online behaviors can also be considered as viable source

of alcohol influence.

The results of the survey found that many of the respondents were greatly influenced by

their peers in drinking. Some of them were convinced while others were forced to drink. Also,

some respondents became curious about alcohol drinking because of their friends’ habits. These

results showed the big influence of peer factors to the alcohol use of adolescent.

The researchers found out the similarities of the related studies and the results obtained

from the survey. Both studies show that peers are one of the main influencing factors of

adolescents. However, there is one aspect that is contradicting; there were studies that show the

effect of friends’ online behaviors to the perception of adolescents toward drinking. Despite the

contradiction, these studies still show that peers play a huge role in affecting the alcohol use among

adolescents.

Similar studies have shown that families are influential to adolescents especially regarding

to matters like alcohol drinking. Komro, Molina, Tobler, Bonds, and Muller (2007) conducted a

study to examine the effects of parental provision of alcohol and home alcohol accessibility of

young adolescent alcohol use and intentions. The availability and accessibility of alcohol in homes

and also the influence of the family members does not match well and this leads to alcohol abuse.

Another study conducted by McMorris (2011) concluded that there is a direct relationship between

family contexts and alcohol drinking. Usually, families view their children's drinking progression

as a typical activity they no need to worry about. Smit, Verdurmen, and Monshouwer (2008) also

said that family interventions have an effect to the children’s drinking. However, Catacutan (2011)

rejects the common theory about the link between family and alcohol drinking. It is stated in the
study that there is no interaction between parents and other family members to the alcohol drinking

of adolescents.

Referring to the answers the respondents gave, family is one the main factors that

influenced them to try drinking alcohol. Many of the respondents said that they were convinced

by their parents and relatives to drink alcohol and all of them agreed to try. There were other

respondents who were told by their family members that drinking alcohol is a part of growing up.

This caused them to drink occasionally and also during family bondings. Tradition was also an

alibi used by family members to encourage adolescents to drink alcohol.

Based on the data gathered, the findings of this study complements most of the previous

studies regarding the family's influence on adolescents. It can be concluded that the family has a

vital role on their children's alcoholism. There is a direct relationship between family and the

alcohol drinking of adolescents. The findings of this study contradicts the study made by Catacutan

(2011).

In line with that, researchers found that there is a need to study more about the real

relationship of family to the alcohol use and drinking progression among adolescents. Some

studies have contradicting theories about the influence of family on adolescents’ drinking. Some

similar studies stated that family is one of the main factors associated with the alcohol drinking of

adolescents while others argued that it has no relevance at all. This only means that there is a

significant need for this aspect to be proven. The results of the survey conducted by the researchers

revealed that family factor is one of the main influencing factors of the adolescents’ drinking.

These results helped to establish a concrete conclusion on the real relationship of family context

to the alcohol use of adolescents.

 The aspect of adolescents’ drinking practices has not been given much attention by other

researchers. There were limited studies that discussed the alcohol drinking practices of adolescents

because most of the similar studies focused on the influencing factors. On the other hand, the

results of this study were able to showcase the drinking practices of the respondents. These

drinking practices include the frequency of drinking, time they usually drink, occasions and places

where they drink, companions when drinking, kind of alcohol they take, and the amount of alcohol

consumption. The findings about these practices could help the researchers to oversee the factors

that influence the adolescents to drink alcohol.

Furthermore, the aspect of personal factor has not been given much attention in other

researches. Other similar researches only focused on family, peer, and parenting as the influencing

factors of alcohol use among adolescents. However, based on the survey conducted by the

researchers, it was revealed that there were not only external factors that affect the alcohol use of

the adolescents but also some internal factors. These factors are purely based on the adolescents’

thoughts and actions. Based on the results, these factors include the curiosity about alcohol

drinking, the need for relief from stress, the eagerness to forget their problems, the satisfaction,

and even the boredom of the adolescents. These are the reasons that the respondents stated on why

did they engage in drinking. It means that aside from the external factors, these internal factors

also greatly affect the alcohol use of adolescents.