http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/6/1/18
The final study sample of 775 respondents consisted
of 61.9% males and 38.1% females, with a mean age of
22 years and 8 months (M = 22.7, SD = 5.9). The mean
age of the sample recruited in clubs is lower as compared with the other two samples and more club visitors
still live with their parents (F(2, 717 = 12.29, p < 0.01).).
In the sample of respondents of dance events we find
fewer respondents who are still students in comparison
with rock festivals and clubs (c² (2) = 30,37, p < 0.01).
Furthermore, more female respondents were recruited
at rock festivals (c² (2) = 29,51, p < 0.01) (cf. Table 1).
Procedure and survey instrument
This survey was first administered in 2003 and repeated in 2005 and 2007. In this paper, however, only the data from the survey conducted between 1 July 2007 and 12 November 2007 are included. Visitors to dance clubs and events were asked to participate in this study. To avoid selection bias, polltakers invited every fifth visitor to complete a short self-report questionnaire. Visitors were informed that filling out the questionnaire would take 5 to 10 minutes; respondents received no financial compensation. The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice questions and two open-ended questions. The first section included some demographic variables [26], while the second part focused on going out patterns [5]. Eighteen music styles were listed in the questionnaire and study respondents cited their favourite music preference(s) (no limitations were imposed on possible answers). Categories for music preferences were based on an Internet search of relevant websites, and were approved during an expert meeting of prevention workers and nightlife professionals [27]. Another question asked respondents
Page 3 of 11
to select the nightlife venues they had visited in the last 30 days (e.g. pubs, clubs and goa parties). The third part of the survey instrument assessed the frequency of the use of various substances [5,13]. Seven categories for frequency of drug use were distinguished: 1) never used this drug; 2) ever used, but not in the last year; 3) once a month or less; 4) several times a month; 5) once a week; 6) several times a week; and 7) daily. The fourth section included questions on the context of substance use (e.g. when and with whom respondents use), as well as combined substance use or poly-drug use [28]. Every respondent was asked to complete the section on preventive health measures taken regarding substance use [29]. The last section of the questionnaire consisted of open-ended questions on emerging trends in (i.e. patterns of) drug use. Data analysis
Prior to the statistical data analysis, all questionnaires were first entered into the data set by hand, using SPSS 17.0. To ease the interpretation, some variables were recoded. To analyse the association between music preference and drug use, the 18 music styles included in this study were reduced to 3 music preferences based on media sources (e.g. Internet), interpretations of DJ’s and observations from polltakers. In addition, we considered the internal consistency of the music categories. The above resulted in three categories of music preferences: dance music (a = 0.7), rock music (a = 0.6) and a mix of southern and funky music (a = 0.7) (cf. Table 2). “Dance music” included house, progressive, techno, electro, drum & bass, goa trance and trance. “Rock music” consisted of rock, surf, metal, hardcore and pop music. “Southern and
Table 1 Sample characteristics (n = 775) Dance events N (%)
Rock festivals N (%)
Clubs N (%)
Total N (%)
270 (34.8)
269 (34.7)
236 (30.5)
775
189 (25.3)
127 (17.0)
146 (19.6)
462 (69.1)
74 (9.9)
131 (17.6)
79 (10.6)
284 (38.1)
< 18
26 (3.6)
74 (10.3)
54 (7.5)
154 (21.4)
18-23
117 (16.3)
86 (11.9)
107 (14.9)
310 (43.1)
24-29
79 (11.1)
54 (7.5)
40 (5.6)
173 (24.0)
≥ 30
26 (3.6)
47 (6.5)
10 (1.4)
83 (11.5)
Student
78 (10.8)
137 (19.1)
117 (16.3)
332 (46.2)
Job
166 (23.1)
113 (15.7)
108 (15.0)
387 (53.8)
Respondents Gender Male Female Age
Occupation
Living status With parents
162 (21.4)
163 (21.5)
171 (22.6)
496 (65.5)
On their own or living together with friend/partner
99 (13.1)
101 (13.3)
61 (8.1)
261 (34.5)
