Young People in Focus

Completed research

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COMPLETED

This work took place when Young People in Focus (YPF) was callled the Trust for the Study of Adolescence (TSA)

Exploratory study into underage 'risky' drinking

Background

Definition: By ‘risky’ drinking, we are referring to excessive single-session drinking (otherwise termed ‘binge drinking' or 'risky single occasion drinking') in unsupervised, often outdoor/hidden locations (away from the supervision of parents, bar staff in licensed premises, etc.). By 'underage' drinking, we are referring to those under 18 years old.

A literature review by Newburn and Shiner (2001) found increases in ‘risky’ drinking in young people. This is of some concern, due to the associated adverse short-term health and social consequences. The review concluded with 6 areas for future research. One of these was “young people’s motivations for apparently ‘risky’ drinking”. There is a lack of research in the UK into the motivations behind this sort of drinking, particularly as the motivations behind ‘risky’ drinking may differ from those behind drinking in general. TSA received a grant in April 2003 from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which enabled us to undertake research into this important issue. This research led to a final report which has been disseminated amongst health promotion experts, practitioners, policy-makers and parents to facilitate a better understanding of young people’s motivations for ‘risky’ drinking.

The Project

The project had 3 main aims:

To explore the motivations for ‘risky’ drinking
To identify the outcomes of ‘risky’ drinking
To see whether motivations and outcomes vary by age, gender, socioeconomic status

64 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst a range of different young people according to their age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and rural/urban residence. The 14-17 year olds were recruited from schools/colleges, Connexions, YOTs and youth clubs in the South-East of England.

Findings

Motivations for ‘risky’ drinking were grouped into three themes; social facilitation (an increase in confidence and enjoyment in social and sexual situations), individual benefits (to forget problems, for the ‘buzz’, and for ‘something to do’), and social norms and influences (wider social norms, peer influence and respect and image). Outcomes were grouped into three themes; health, safety and legal.

Timetable and Staffing

The project took place over a year from 1 st April 2003. Dr Lester Coleman was the Project Manager, and Suzanne Cater was the Research Officer. The report was published in 2005 and is available from TSA or www.jrf.org.uk

More information:
Please contact Young People in Focus
Email: info@youngpeopleinfocus.org.uk
Tel: 01273 693311

January 2006