Normalisation of non-drinking? 15-16-year-olds' accounts of refraining from alcohol.

The adolescents' explanations for non-drinking indicated a devaluation in the social position of alcohol among younger adolescents. Non-drinking was described as majority behaviour and fitting in with a life orientation towards both present-day and future achievement. Their accounts pointed towards a normative effect of age limits on buying alcohol and highlighted the significance of emotional closeness and open communication about alcohol with parents. The results indicate a differentiated normalisation of non-drinking in this age group.