A study conducted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has found that children and teens introduced to alcohol at a young age are less likely to binge drink.

Published in the British Journal Psychological Medicine, the study also noted that the practise increases chances of drinking full serves of alcohol by age 15 or 16 years.

The study followed approximately 2,000 children and their parents over four years from year seven, recording their consumption of whole drinks, binge drinking and the source of alcohol supply such as parent, peers or other adults.

"There are very few well-designed studies out there that can offer definitive advice to parents; our study was designed to address this gap."

It also surveyed one parent of each child annually with questionnaires.

UNSW professor and lead author of the study Richard Mattick said: “There is a body of research indicating that the adolescent brain is still developing well into the early 20s and alcohol may interfere with optimum development.

“Unfortunately, there are very few well-designed studies out there that can offer definitive advice to parents; our study was designed to address this gap."

Factors such as family alcohol use, family structure, family conflict, and individual personality were also considered during the study.

Alcohol given by parents, peers or other adults doubled the chances of the adolescents drinking full serves a year later, while the adolescents given alcohol by their parents are found to consume a lower quantity than those supplied by their peers or others.

The study also showed that family and peer factors such as parental monitoring, consistent parenting, being religious and peer disapproval of drinking and smoking, reduced the chances of drinking.

According to Mattick, the study was however conducted only up to year ten and further follow-up work on patterns of use into later adolescence and early adulthood is still required.

Image: A selection of alcoholic drinks. Photo: courtesy of TrafficJan82.