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dc.contributor.authorHallett, Jonathan
dc.contributor.authorMcManus, Alexandra
dc.contributor.authorMaycock, Bruce
dc.contributor.authorSmith, Jennifer
dc.contributor.authorHowat, Peter
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T13:38:00Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T13:38:00Z
dc.date.created2014-09-23T20:00:17Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.identifier.citationHallett, J. and McManus, A. and Maycock, B. and Smith, J. and Howat, P. 2014. 'Excessive drinking - An inescapable part of university life?' A focus group study of Australian undergraduates. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine. 4: pp. 616-629.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33583
dc.identifier.doi10.4236/ojpm.2014.47071
dc.description.abstract

The university environment reinforces positive alcohol-related expectations and motivations for drinking among undergraduate students. High levels of hazardous consumption in this population lead to significant negative alcohol-related consequences, for individuals and those around them. This study sought to explore the contexts in which those who engage in hazardous drinking consume alcohol, their perceptions of safety and harm, and receptivity to health messages. Undergraduate university students (n = 69; aged 17 - 24 of both genders [57% female]) were purposively recruited into one of seven focus groups after screening with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to select for hazardous drinking (score, >8) or moderate drinking. A focus group interview schedule was developed, which was informed by theory and tested for validity by a panel of experts.Qualitative analysis of the data revealed four thematic clusters: positive expectations; inescapable culture; defining situations; and permissible drunkenness. Drinking was associated with various personal and social advantages that reinforced participants’ intentions and/or willingness to drink. Alcohol played a meaningful role in the way in which participants identified with youth and university culture. Economical drinking was prominent, with students constantly negotiating pathways to intoxication within the confines of their budgets. Heavy drinking was viewed as permissible when in the home environment and/or in the company of trusted friends. Most students were unreceptive to health messages, and advice on restricting alcohol consumption seemed to have limited impact on drinking behaviour. Our findings clarify why some university students maintain or increase drinking behaviour despite known negative out- comes and offer useful insights to inform further research and the development of alcohol interventions specifically targeted at students.

dc.publisherScientific Research Publishing
dc.subjectDrinking
dc.subjectStudent
dc.subjectAlcohol
dc.subjectBinge
dc.subjectQualitative
dc.subjectUndergraduate
dc.title'Excessive drinking - An inescapable part of university life?' A focus group study of Australian undergraduates
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume4
dcterms.source.startPage616
dcterms.source.endPage629
dcterms.source.issn2162-2477
dcterms.source.titleOpen Journal of Preventive Medicine
curtin.note

This article is published under the Open Access publishing model and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Please refer to the licence to obtain terms for any further reuse or distribution of this work.

curtin.departmentWestern Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research (Curtin Research Centre)
curtin.accessStatusOpen access


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