Alcohol Consumption in Norway: A mixed-methods approach

• Hart, Rannveig Kaldager; Pedersen, Willy & Skardhamar, Torbjørn (2022). Blowing in the wind? Testing the effect of weather on the spatial distribution of crime using Generalized Additive Models. Crime Science. 11(1). doi: 10.1186/s40163-022-00171-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Oslo, the capital of Norway, is situated in a North European cool climate zone. We investigate the effect of weather on the overall level of crime in the city, as well as the impact of different aspects of weather (temperature, wind speed, precipitation) on the spatial distribution of crime, net of both total level of crime, time of day and seasonality. Geocoded locations of criminal offences were combined with data on temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) allowed us to map level of and the spatial distribution of crime, and how it was impacted by weather, in a more robust manner than in previous studies. There was slightly more crime in pleasurable weather (i.e. low precipitation and wind speed and high temperatures). However, neither temperature, precipitation nor wind speed impacted the spatial distribution of crime in the city.

• Rogne, Adrian Farner; Pedersen, Willy & Soest, Tilmann von (2020). Intelligence, alcohol consumption, and adverse consequences. A study of young Norwegian men. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. 49(4), p. 411–418. doi: 10.1177/1403494820944719. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Research suggests that intelligence is positively related to alcohol consumption. However, some studies of people born around 1950, particularly from Sweden, have reported that higher intelligence is associated with lower consumption and fewer alcohol-related problems. We investigated the relationships between intelligence, alcohol consumption, and adverse consequences of drinking in young men from Norway (a neighboring Scandinavian country) born in the late 1970s. Methods: This analysis was based on the population-based Young in Norway Longitudinal Study. Our sample included young men who had been followed from their mid-teens until their late 20s (n = 1126). Measures included self-reported alcohol consumption/intoxication, alcohol use disorders (AUDIT), and a scale measuring adverse consequences of drinking. Controls included family background, parental bonding, and parents’ and peers’ drinking. Intelligence test scores—scaled in 9 “stanines” (population mean of 5 and standard deviation of 2)—were taken from conscription assessment. Results: Men with higher intelligence scores reported average drinking frequency and slightly fewer adverse consequences in their early 20s. In their late 20s, they reported more frequent drinking than men with lower intelligence scores (0.30 more occasions per week, per stanine, age adjusted; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0. 49). Intelligence was not associated with intoxication frequency at any age and did not moderate the relationships between drinking frequency and adverse consequences. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the relationship between intelligence and drinking frequency is age dependent. Discrepancies with earlier findings from Sweden may be driven by changes in drinking patterns.

• Pedersen, Willy; Hart, Rannveig Kaldager; Moffitt, Terrie E & Soest, Tilmann von (2020). Delinquency Abstainers in Adolescence and Educational and Labour Market Outcomes in Midlife: A Population-Based 25-year Longitudinal Study. Developmental Psychology. ISSN 0012-1649. doi: 10.1037/dev0001117. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Research has suggested that adolescent delinquency abstainers might have unfavorable characteristics, impeding their access to peer networks. However, recent studies have emphasized the possible heterogeneity of abstainers. We know little about the long-term adaption of delinquency abstainers. We identify subtypes of delinquency abstainers and investigate subsequent adult academic careers, income levels, and possible marginalization in the labor market. We use the population-based Young in Norway Longitudinal study, where participants (N = 2,494) are followed up by surveys and registers from their teens until their mid-30s. By means of latent class analysis, abstainers were divided in three groups according to degree of social integration. Results showed that delinquency abstainers performed as well or better in adulthood than those with moderate delinquency involvement and markedly better than the highly delinquent. Lonely abstainers performed just as well as all other groups when it comes to higher education and earnings. However, they had a higher probability of marginalization in the labor market than the social abstainers. We conclude that no group fared better than delinquency abstainers with strong social ties. The outcomes of the lonely abstainers were close to those of the majority. Thus, in this cohort who came of age in the 1990s, delinquency abstainers are not particularly vulnerable, and theory about abstainers needs to be modernized.

• Pedersen, Willy (2019). Fatal attraction: A narrative of early opioid addiction. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (NAD). ISSN 1455-0725. 36(5), p. 470–481. doi: 10.1177/1455072519843218. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Norway’s first clinic to treat drug abuse was established in 1961. Most patients had been initiated into drug use through the healthcare system, i.e., in an iatrogenic manner. However, we know little about the drug users from this period. Here, we present an in-depth interview with a woman born into a wealthy family in the early 1920s who developed a heavy morphine addiction. In the course of the interview, she gradually reveals how her husband, who was a physician, as well as two other physicians, who were also erotically attracted to her, had key roles in this development. The narrative illustrates and elaborates how females from the upper strata of society with close links to male physicians may have been at particular risk of opioid misuse in the period before 1960. We now witness a new wave of iatrogenic drug abuse, particularly in the USA. We suggest that experiences from this period may again be relevant.

• Sandberg, Sveinung; Copes, Heith & Pedersen, Willy (2019). When peaceful people fight: Beyond neutralization and subcultural theory. British Journal of Criminology. ISSN 0007-0955. 59(6), p. 1309–1327. doi: 10.1093/bjc/azz032. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Fights are widespread in society, but for most people it happens once or twice and is not part of a consistent pattern or lifestyle. Using a narrative criminological framework, we study the stories of violence among people who otherwise seldom engage in violent behaviour. The young Norwegians we interviewed, emphasized that their fights emerged as a response to insults, was fuelled by drinking and could be exciting. Participants had negative evaluations of their fights, took the blame for them, talked down their importance and self-critically used humour to ridicule their involvement. Our study demonstrates the shortcomings of subcultural and neutralization theories when it comes to understanding violent behaviour among those who rarely engage in it.

• Vaynman, Margareth; Sandberg, Sveinung & Pedersen, Willy (2019). 'Locker room talk': Male bonding and sexual degradation in drinking stories. Culture, Health and Sexuality. ISSN 1369-1058. 22(11), p. 1235–1252. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2019.1670864. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper explores alcohol-related sexual storytelling. In a qualitative study of more than 100 male participants in the night-time economy in Norway, many told animated and cheerful stories laced with erotic excitement. However, a minority of men also told sex stories characterised by aggressive, belittling and degrading language. We propose that this minority of men may employ such locker room talk to: (i) achieve male bonding and intimacy, (ii) explore ambiguous and confusing sexual experiences and/or (iii) excuse sexual events characterised by overt aggression. We draw on theories of masculinity and homosociality and a narrative framework and show that for some men, sexual relationships with women are strongly influenced by their relations with other men. We discuss how these stories reflect degrading attitudes towards women and how they produce and legitimise sexual violence.

• Rogne, Adrian Farner; Pedersen, Willy & Bakken, Anders (2019). Immigration and the decline in adolescent binge drinking. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. ISSN 0376-8716. 203, p. 35–43. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.05.031. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Adolescent alcohol consumption has fallen in most Western countries over the past two decades, while immigrants and children of immigrants from low-consumption countries constitute a growing proportion of teenagers in many Western nations. We investigate the extent to which immigrants and children of immigrants have contributed to the decline in adolescent heavy episodic drinking in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Methods We use repeated cross-sectional survey data on adolescents in grades 9-11 in Oslo (aged around 14–16, N = 54,474) from 1996 to 2018. We use data on heavy episodic drinking/intoxication in the past 12 months (dichotomized), immigrant background, sex and grade. We decompose the trend into components attributable to changes in the demographic composition of the adolescent population (by immigrant background, grade and sex), and to changes in drinking patterns within different groups. Confidence intervals (CIs) are obtained by bootstrap resampling. Results The proportion of adolescents with immigrant backgrounds increased from 21% to 35% over the time span. The proportion reporting having been intoxicated fell from 42% to 25%. Most of the decline stems from reduced heavy episodic drinking in the majority population, accounting for 70.8% of the reduction (95% CI: 67.5–74.2). The increased proportion of adolescents with an immigrant background accounts for 21.4% of the decline (95% CI: 19.2–23.8). Conclusions An increasing proportion of immigrants and children of immigrants with low alcohol consumption explains one-fifth of the decline in the prevalence of adolescent heavy episodic drinking in Oslo.

• Sandberg, Sveinung; Tutenges, Sébastien & Pedersen, Willy (2019). Drinking stories as a narrative genre: The five classic themes. Acta Sociologica. ISSN 0001-6993. 62(4), p. 406–419. doi: 10.1177/0001699319833142. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Drinking stories feature widely in Western societies. Many people eagerly share their stories in the aftermath of drinking events. These stories are also common in books, movies, music and the media. Based on qualitative interviews with 104 young Norwegian heavy episodic drinkers, the article seeks to establish drinking stories as a distinct narrative genre. We argue that this narrative genre of drinking stories comes from an oral storytelling tradition which uses transgressions to trigger interest, entertain, and challenge commonly held views. These transgressions typically come in the form of playful violations of conventions and common sense and tend to centre around five classic themes: sex, bodily harm, bodily fluids, lawbreaking and pranks. While often dismissed as trivial, vulgar and of little literary value, drinking stories are highly valued by many people and have significant consequences for how people experience drinking and behave while being drunk.

• Tutenges, Sébastien; Sandberg, Sveinung & Pedersen, Willy (2019). Sexually violent effervescence: Understanding sexual assault among youth. Sexualities. ISSN 1363-4607. 23(3), p. 406–421. doi: 10.1177/1363460719830342. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Based on interviews with 104 young partygoers, this article examines sexual assaults that occur in the context of festive events. Focus is on how individuals describe their sexual victimization. Three experiential characteristics stand out in the victims’ accounts. First, the assaults are described as being characterized by an altered state of consciousness, primarily alcohol-related intoxication. Second, the assaults are described as involving a sense of losing control. Third, the assaults are described as antagonistic, with one side using force to achieve domination. Drawing on Durkheimian theory, the article introduces the sensitizing concept of ‘sexually violent effervescence’ to clarify how victims experience sexual assaults.

• Pedersen, Willy; Bakken, Anders & Soest, Tilmann von (2017). Neighborhood or School? Influences on Alcohol Consumption and Heavy Episodic Drinking Among Urban Adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. ISSN 0047-2891. p. 1–15. doi: 10.1007/s10964-017-0787-0. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Little is known about the relative influences of neighborhood and school on the alcohol socialization process. Survey data from the Young in Oslo Study (N = 10,038, mean age 17.1 years, 52% girls) were used to investigate the details of such influences, using cross-classified multilevel models. School and neighborhood contexts were equally important for ordinary alcohol use; however, neighborhood influences were mainly explained by individual and family factors, whereas peer-based sociocultural processes played a key role in explaining school effects. Neither context had much impact on heavy episodic drinking. The study suggests that “privileged” youth may be at risk of high alcohol consumption. Parental influences and peer-based sociocultural aspects of the school milieu should be considered in prevention efforts.

• Andersen, Patrick Lie; Pedersen, Willy & Bakken, Anders (2017). Russetid i Oslo. Hvem deltar? Hvem feirer hardest? In Ljunggren, Jørn (Eds.), Oslo - ulikhetenes by. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202521615. p. 307–323. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Oslo er en unik by i norsk sammenheng. Ikke bare er Oslo hovedstad, politisk maktsentrum og det nærmeste Norge kommer en internasjonal storby: Oslo er også ulikhetenes by. Ingen andre steder i Norge er det tydeligere at sosiale skiller følger geografiske skillelinjer. Det er også stor offentlig interesse for temaet. Jevnlig dukker det opp debatter om byen er «delt» eller ikke og om hva slags sosiale ulikheter som kommer i kjølvannet av omfattende nasjonal og internasjonal innvandring. Hittil har det likevel ikke kommet noen samlet forskningsinnsats om temaet. Oslo - ulikhetenes by tilbyr nettopp dette. Med bidrag fra noen av de fremste ekspertene på temaet, fra disipliner som sosiologi, samfunnsgeografi, statsvitenskap, historie, pedagogikk, samfunnsøkonomi, sosialantropologi og arkitektur, analyseres Oslos sosiale ulikheter fra flere vinkler. I et tilgjengelig språk, uten å gå på akkord med vitenskapelige idealer, berøres sosiale ulikhet knyttet til blant annet: Oslos historie bostedssegregasjon, boligmarked og flytting stemmegivning formue Oslo-skolen helse migrasjon rus russetid arkitektur gentrifisering nabolagseffekter livssjanser

• Frøyland, Lars Roar & Soest, Tilmann von (2017). Trends in the Perpetration of Physical Aggression among Norwegian Adolescents 2007-2015. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. ISSN 0047-2891. p. 1–14. doi: 10.1007/s10964-017-0793-2. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy; Tutenges, Sébastien & Sandberg, Sveinung (2017). The pleasures of drunken one-night stands: Assemblage theory and narrative environments. International journal of drug policy. ISSN 0955-3959. 49, p. 160–167. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.08.005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: In this study, we use assemblage theory to investigate the link between alcohol use and one-night stands. Methods: The data come from qualitative interviews conducted with 104 young participants in the night-time economy. Results: We show that: (i) alcohol-fuelled sexual explorations (e.g. erotic fantasizing, flirting and sex) are of paramount importance for young partygoers; (ii) sexualized territories (e.g. private parties, rural feasts and the backseat of cars) significantly shape the experience and performance of one-night stands; and (iii) contrary to previous research, one-night stands are to a large degree associated with pleasure—the immediate pleasure of having sex and the long-term pleasure of telling about it to others. Conclusion: We argue that drunken one-night stands are part and parcel of a drinking culture that places high value on sexual encounters and personal sex stories.

• Edland-Gryt, Marit; Sandberg, Sveinung & Pedersen, Willy (2017). From ecstasy to MDMA: Recreational drug use, symbolic boundaries and drug trends. International journal of drug policy. ISSN 0955-3959. 50. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.07.030. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Ecstasy pills with MDMA as the main ingredient were introduced in many European countries in the 1980s, and were often linked to the rave and club scenes. However, use gradually levelled off, in part as a response to increased concerns about possible mental health consequences and fatalities. Extensive use of MDMA now seems to be re-emerging in many countries. In this study, we investigated the cultural and social meaning associated with MDMA use in Oslo, Norway, with an emphasis on how users distinguish MDMA crystals and powder from “old ecstasy pills”. Methods Qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 31, 61,3% males) were conducted with young adult party-goers and recreational MDMA/ecstasy users (20–34 years old, mean age 26.2 years). Results Research participants emphasised three important perceived differences between the MDMA crystals and ecstasy pills: (i) The effects of MDMA were described as better than ecstasy; (ii) MDMA was regarded as a safer drug; (iii) Users of MDMA crystals were described as more distinct from and less anchored in out-of-fashion rave culture than those using ecstasy. These differences were an important part of the symbolic boundary work MDMA users engaged in when justifying their drug use. Conclusion MDMA has re-emerged as an important psychoactive substance in Oslo’s club scene. One important reason for this re-emergence seems to be its perceived differentiation from ecstasy pills, even though the active ingredient in both drugs is MDMA. This perceived distinction between MDMA and ecstasy reveals the importance of social and symbolic meanings in relation to psychoactive substance use. Insights from this study can be important in terms of understanding how trends in drug use develop and how certain drugs gain or lose popularity.

• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Ungdommens rusdelte Oslo. In Ljunggren, Jørn (Eds.), Oslo - ulikhetenes by. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202521615. p. 293–306. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Oslo er en unik by i norsk sammenheng. Ikke bare er Oslo hovedstad, politisk maktsentrum og det nærmeste Norge kommer en internasjonal storby: Oslo er også ulikhetenes by. Ingen andre steder i Norge er det tydeligere at sosiale skiller følger geografiske skillelinjer. Det er også stor offentlig interesse for temaet. Jevnlig dukker det opp debatter om byen er «delt» eller ikke og om hva slags sosiale ulikheter som kommer i kjølvannet av omfattende nasjonal og internasjonal innvandring. Hittil har det likevel ikke kommet noen samlet forskningsinnsats om temaet. Oslo - ulikhetenes by tilbyr nettopp dette. Med bidrag fra noen av de fremste ekspertene på temaet, fra disipliner som sosiologi, samfunnsgeografi, statsvitenskap, historie, pedagogikk, samfunnsøkonomi, sosialantropologi og arkitektur, analyseres Oslos sosiale ulikheter fra flere vinkler. I et tilgjengelig språk, uten å gå på akkord med vitenskapelige idealer, berøres sosiale ulikhet knyttet til blant annet: Oslos historie bostedssegregasjon, boligmarked og flytting stemmegivning formue Oslo-skolen helse migrasjon rus russetid arkitektur gentrifisering nabolagseffekter livssjanser

• Enstad, Frøydis; Pedersen, Willy; Nilsen, Wendy & Soest, Tilmann von (2017). Predicting early onset of intoxication versus drinking—A population-based prospective study of Norwegian adolescents. Addictive Behaviors Reports. ISSN 2352-8532. 6, p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.04.002. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aims Recent research suggests that early onset of intoxication (EOI) may be of greater importance for a wide range of subsequent adverse outcomes than early drinking experiences without intoxication. However, research on antecedents of EOI is scarce. The present study identifies predictors of EOI and whether they differ from those of early onset of drinking (EOD). Methods Data was drawn from the prospective Tracking Opportunities and Problems (TOPP) study of Norwegian families (n = 382), which followed up mothers and their children with six data collections from childhood (age 1.5) to adolescence (age 14.5). Self-reports from the adolescents (parenting practices, adolescent's conduct problems and friends' deviant behaviour) and their mothers (adolescent temperament, socio-economic factors and household alcohol problems) were used to identify predictors of EOI and EOD. Findings A variety of temperamental, socio-economic, and family factors predicted EOI, whereas EOD was predicted of substantially fewer variables. Particularly, when controlling for relevant covariates, low levels of shyness, own conduct problems and having friends with deviant behaviour prospectively predicted EOI, but not EOD. Conclusions Future research and prevention efforts should take into consideration that EOI and EOD without getting drunk appear to be predicted by different risk factors in childhood and adolescence.

• Pedersen, Willy; Copes, Heith & Sandberg, Sveinung (2016). Alcohol and violence in nightlife and party settings: a qualitative study. Drug and Alcohol Review. ISSN 0959-5236. 35(5), p. 557–563. doi: 10.1111/dar.12395. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Introduction and AimsIn binge drinking' cultures, there is a strong association between alcohol consumption and violence. At the same time, several studies suggest that this link is cultural and contextual. We explore the role of alcohol in incidents of violence in nightlife settings. Design and MethodsWe used qualitative interviews with 104 Norwegians (52 men and 52 women, mean age 25years) who binge drink and party in nightlife settings. ResultsAlcohol both sparks and constrains violence in these contexts. When participants use alcohol, they expect conflicts to occur and blame alcohol intoxication for such behaviour. The packed settings of nightlife and parties combined with the effects of alcohol can induce violence through personal affronts, heightened emotions and jealousy. At the same time, nightlife settings constrain violence. That is, binge drinkers excuse misbehaviour when it is attributed to alcohol. In addition, audiences in these setting often go to great lengths to stop fights. Combined, these factors help explain why violence occurs and why it usually does not escalate. Discussion and ConclusionsThe association between alcohol and violence can be understood by more closely examining the cultural and situational context where the events occur. This link is not primarily related to the psychopharmacological properties of alcohol, but rather it is associated with situational factors and cultural norms regarding how to behave while intoxicated. Strategies aiming at reducing violence in nightlife should take such factors into consideration. [Pedersen W, Copes H, Sandberg S. Alcohol and violence in nightlife and party settings: A qualitative study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:557-563]

• Fjær, Eivind Grip; Pedersen, Willy; Soest, Tilmann von & Gray, Paul (2016). When is it OK to be drunk? Situational and cultural variations in the acceptability of visible intoxication in the UK and Norway. International journal of drug policy. ISSN 0955-3959. 29, p. 27–32. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.002. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Research on norms regulating drunken behaviour has tended to focus on differences between different countries and cultures rather than variations within them. Here, we examine whether there are: (i) situation-specific differences in the acceptability of visible intoxication among students in the UK and Norway; (ii) whether there are situation-specific and overall differences in this regard between the two countries; and finally (iii) to what degree possible differences reflect individual characteristics such as use of alcohol, perceived harm of alcohol consumption, and broader value orientation. Methods Students at one British (n = 473) and one Norwegian (n = 472) university responded to a survey including a battery of questions assessing the acceptability of visible intoxication in different situations, such as with friends, with work colleagues, with family members, and situations where children are present. Data were also collected regarding alcohol consumption, perceived harms of alcohol consumption, and value orientation. Analyses of covariance were performed to assess patterns in the acceptability of visible intoxication across different situations, and the relative contributions of country, alcohol consumption, perceived harm of alcohol consumption and human values. Results In both countries, visible intoxication was rated as most acceptable in situations involving friends and colleagues. Students from both countries rated visible intoxication least acceptable in situations where children are present. However, both overall, and in situations where children or family members are present, acceptability of visible intoxication scores were higher in the UK than Norway. These differences persisted after control for other variables. Conclusion The study demonstrates large situational variation in acceptability of drunken behaviour, pointing to a fine-meshed set of norms regulating alcohol use and drunken behaviour within the two cultures, with the UK standing out as a more alcohol-liberal culture than Norway. Such differences underline how norms regulating drunken behaviour are culturally constituted.

• Fjær, Eivind Grip; Pedersen, Willy & Sandberg, Sveinung (2016). Party on wheels: mobile party spaces in the Norwegian high school graduation celebration. British Journal of Sociology. ISSN 0007-1315. 67(2), p. 328–347. doi: 10.1111/1468-4446.12189. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy & Bakken, Anders (2016). Urban landscapes of adolescent substance use. Acta Sociologica. ISSN 0001-6993. 59(2), p. 131–150. doi: 10.1177/0001699315625448. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cities are increasingly organised according to socio-spatial divisions in which groups with similar characteristics live in the same areas. This social polarisation is associated with differences in living conditions, health, morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, ‘areas of disadvantage’ have also been associated with increased risk of harmful substance use. However, some recent studies suggest that ‘areas of affluence’ may socialise adolescents into high levels of alcohol consumption. Using a combination of city district-level socio-economic data and surveys of adolescents, we investigated patterns of substance use in different city districts of Oslo, Norway, with the aim to shed more light on these conflicting previous findings. We found that adolescents in the affluent parts of Oslo West reported the highest levels of recreational smoking, snus use and alcohol use. Those in the poorer Oslo Central East reported the highest levels of daily smoking, alcohol problems and cannabis use. After controlling for individual- and family-based risk factors, significant area differences remained, except with regard to alcohol problems and cannabis use. We conclude that adolescents living in affluent areas report the highest use of several psychoactive substances, but in a manner that is usually compatible with a rather health-oriented lifestyle. By contrast, those from socio-economically disadvantaged districts near the city centre use substances in a manner that may have greater potential for social marginalisation, morbidity and mortality.

• Pedersen, Willy (2016). Rus, ritualer og regulering. In Frønes, Ivar & Kjølsrød, Lise (Ed.), Det norske samfunn. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205490215. p. 205–225. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy; Fjær, Eivind Grip; Gray, Paul & Soest, Tilmann von (2016). Perceptions of harms associated with tobacco, alcohol and cannabis in students from the UK and Norway. Contemporary Drug Problems. ISSN 0091-4509. 43(1), p. 47–61. doi: 10.1177/0091450916638578. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: International drug policy has traditionally been based on the premise that illegal drugs are more harmful than legal substances. Here, we investigate how students in the UK and Norway now perceive possible harms related to tobacco and alcohol—which are legal—and cannabis—which is illegal. Methods: Social science undergraduates at a university in the UK (n = 473) and Norway (n = 472) completed an anonymous survey. They were asked to rate the harms of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis across five domains: (i) physical harms, (ii) mental health conditions, (iii) dependence, (iv) injuries, and (v) social consequences. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the relative harms of the three substances across all the domains as well as possible differences between participants from the UK and Norway. Results: Tobacco was rated as most harmful with regard to physical harm and dependence; alcohol was rated as most harmful with regard to injuries and social consequences, while cannabis was rated as most harmful with regard to mental health. The total harms scores for alcohol were highest, slightly above those of cannabis. British students reported higher tobacco and alcohol harm scores than Norwegian students, while the opposite pattern was true for cannabis. Conclusions: The legal substance alcohol was rated by students as more harmful than the illegal substance cannabis. The findings may imply that young people in the years to come may be less supportive of a traditional drug policy based on criminalization, at least when it comes to cannabis. At the same time, one may hypothesize that liberal alcohol policies may receive little support, given students’ perception of the possible harms associated with alcohol.

• Fjær, Eivind Grip & Pedersen, Willy (2015). Drinking and moral order: drunken comportment revisited. Addiction Research and Theory. ISSN 1606-6359. 23(6), p. 449–458. doi: 10.3109/16066359.2015.1028922. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy & Soest, Tilmann von (2015). Adolescent Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking: An 18-year Trend Study of Prevalence and Correlates. Alcohol and Alcoholism. ISSN 0735-0414. 50(2), p. 219–225. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agu091. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aims: Several studies suggest a rapid decrease of alcohol use among adolescents after the turn of the century. With decreasing prevalence rates of smokers, a so-called hardening may have taken place, implying that remaining smokers are characterized by more psychosocial problems. Are similar processes witnessed among remaining adolescent alcohol users as well? Methods: In 1992, 2002 and 2010 we used identical procedures to collect data from three population-based samples of 16- and 17-year-old Norwegians (n = 9207). We collected data on alcohol consumption, binge drinking, parental factors, use of other substances, conduct problems, depressive symptoms, social integration, sexual behaviour and loneliness. Results: There was a steep increase in all measures of alcohol consumption from 1992 to 2002, followed by a similar decline until 2010. Most correlates remained stable over the time span. Conclusion: Alcohol use was consistently related to psychosocial problems; on the other hand, alcohol users reported higher levels of social acceptance and social integration than did non-users. There were no signs of ‘hardening’ as seen for tobacco use.

• Pedersen, Willy & Soest, Tilmann von (2015). Which substance is most dangerous? Perceived harm ratings among students in urban and rural Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. 43(4), p. 385–392. doi: 10.1177/1403494815576267. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Recent studies have challenged the idea that illegal substances are necessarily associated with more harm than those that are legal. This study investigates perceived drug harm among students at the University of Oslo (UO) and at a smaller university located on Norway’s coast in a more conservative and religious region, called ‘Coastal University’ (CU). Methods: This study consisted of surveys (n=458) about perceived physical harm, mental health conditions, dependence, injuries and social consequences that may be associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis. Information about substance use was also collected. Analyses of variance and multiple regression analyses were used to examine whether harm ratings differed for different drugs, whether drug type, gender and university site interacted in predicting harm ratings, and what role the participants’ own substance use played in their harm ratings. Results: UO students rated cannabis as overall less harmful than alcohol, while the opposite was true for CU students. Tobacco received the highest physical harm score. Alcohol was rated as most harmful with regard to injuries; cannabis was rated as most harmful with regard to mental health consequences. Use of the substance in question was associated with a reduced harm rating. This was particularly true for cannabis. Conclusions: Norwegian students rate the harm of substances differently from previous reports from the Norwegian general population. Most importantly, their relative ratings of cannabis harm were lower. However, the pattern was most evident among students from the urban Oslo area.

• Pedersen, Willy; Sandberg, Sveinung & Copes, Heith (2015). High Speed: Amphetamine Use in the Context of Conventional Culture. Deviant Behavior. ISSN 0163-9625. 36(2), p. 146–165. doi: 10.1080/01639625.2014.923272. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjær, Eivind Grip; Pedersen, Willy & Sandberg, Sveinung (2015). “I’m Not One of Those Girls”: Boundary-Work and the Sexual Double Standard in a Liberal Hookup Context. Gender & Society. ISSN 0891-2432. 29(6), p. 960–981. doi: 10.1177/0891243215602107. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy; Bakken, Anders & Soest, Tilmann von (2015). Adolescents from affluent city districts drink more alcohol than others. Addiction. ISSN 0965-2140. 110(10), p. 1595–1604. doi: 10.1111/add.13005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aims To estimate the level of alcohol consumption and problems among adolescents in city districts in Oslo, Norway with different socio-economic composition; to test whether differences in alcohol consumption are related to district differences in socio-demographic characteristics; and to analyse whether such associations remain significant after controlling for individual-level variables. Design Cross-sectional survey using multi-level linear regression analyses with individual responses at the lowest level and city-district data at the highest level. Setting Oslo, Norway. Participants A total of 6635 secondary school students, in 62 schools, living in 15 different city districts. Measurements Frequency of alcohol consumption and alcohol intoxication; alcohol problems; and individual characteristics such as immigrant status, religious involvement and parental norms with regard to alcohol. Socio-economic indicators in city districts, such as education, income and unemployment, were combined into a district-level socio-economic index (DLSI). Findings DLSI scores were related positively to alcohol use (r=0.31, P<0.01) and alcohol intoxication (r=0.25, P<0.01) but negatively to alcohol problems among alcohol users (r=–0.18, P<0.01). DLSI scores remained significant for alcohol consumption and alcohol intoxication, after controlling for individual-level variables (P<0.01), but this was not the case for alcohol problems. Conclusion Adolescents in affluent areas of Oslo, Norway report the highest levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol intoxication of all areas; neighbourhood characteristics such as education, income and unemployment levels seem to play a role in such drinking behaviour. Alcohol users in poorer districts reported more alcohol problems than those in other districts; however, here neighbourhood effects do not seem to play a role.

View all works in NVA

• Pedersen, Willy; Moffitt, Terrie E; Hart, Rannveig Kaldager & Soest, Tilmann von (2020). Hvordan går det med ungdom som aldri gjør noe galt? Full text in Research Archive
• Rogne, Adrian Farner; Pedersen, Willy & Bakken, Anders (2019). Innvandring har gitt mindre ungdomsfyll. p. 37–37. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Drug policy in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Russetid. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Norsk ruspolitikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Rus i Norge: Hva kan glede oss over? Hva bør bekymre oss? Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Ruspolitikk i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Rus i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2017). Rus i Nordnorge. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2016). Willy Pedersen leser Tore Renberg om alkohol. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2016). Ruspolitikk i endring. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2016). Rus på Nordvestlandet. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2016). Rus i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Skardhamar, Torbjørn; Hart, S.; Fekjær, Silje Bringsrud & Pedersen, Willy (2016). Changes in night-time economy and the concentration of violent events. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Willy (2014). Tror avhold kan bli trendy. [Journal]. Vårt land. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA