Aggressive behavior may be more likely to increase adolescent drinking than depression, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio University Hospital, the University of Tampere, and Päijät-Häme Central Hospital found that adolescents who behave aggressively are more likely to drink alcohol and in larger quantities than their peers. They also found that depression and anxiety were not linked to alcohol use.

"The findings raise questions about a possible change in the behavior of adolescent girls and their vulnerability during adolescent social and emotional development," said researcher Eila Laukkanen, professor and chief physician of adolescent psychiatry at the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital.

The results indicate that smoking and attention problems also increase the probability of alcohol use. Furthermore, among girls, early menarche and parental divorce are also associated with alcohol use. The study found aggressive behavior to be more common in girls than in boys, which is a novel result.

For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from more than 4,000 Finish 13- to 18-year-old adolescents.

Out of the cohort, 60 percent said they used alcohol. More than 50 percent of 15-year-olds reported to use alcohol.

Based on the findings, no significant differences between the alcohol use of boys and girls were found.

The proportion of adolescents who use alcohol has not grown in comparison to earlier studies; however, many adolescents consume high amounts of alcohol - and even amounts that exceed the risk levels. Alcohol use that begins early in adolescence can increase the probability of mental health problems and alcohol dependence, and be detrimental to brain development.

The findings were recently published in the Journal of Adolescence.