Abstract
Introduction and AimsWe aimed to explore UK‐based Punjabi‐Sikh men's views on: (i) alcohol consumption within the community; (ii) available support for alcohol reduction; and (iii) an evidence‐informed alcohol reduction app.Design and MethodsSemi‐structured interviews and a think aloud method were employed. Participants (n = 15) were male, aged 18–27 years, identified as Punjabi‐Sikh, were hazardous or harmful drinkers (i.e. had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption score of ≥5) and interested in using an app to reduce drinking. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with inductive thematic analysis.ResultsSix themes were developed: (i) fear of drinking to cope; (ii) clash between religious and cultural norms (i.e. an internal conflict between important values); (iii) stigmatisation of mental health issues and lack of knowledge as barriers to help seeking; (iv) perceived usefulness of goal setting, monitoring and feedback (i.e. beliefs about the utility of the app's components for reducing drinking); (v) concerns about accessibility of the app within the Punjabi‐Sikh community; and (vi) desire for human support for continued app engagement.Discussion and ConclusionsAmong UK‐based, Punjabi‐Sikh men, clashing religious and cultural norms give rise to internal conflict about drinking. Stigmatisation of mental health issues and lack of knowledge of available support leads to reduced help seeking. Respondents believed an evidence‐informed alcohol reduction app could be useful, but were concerned about accessibility within the wider community and wanted an element of human support. The potential for a combination of digital and face‐to‐face support should be explored.
Highlights
Introduction and AimsWe aimed to explore United Kingdom (UK)-based Punjabi-Sikh men’s views on: (i) alcohol consumption within the community; (ii) available support for alcohol reduction; and (iii) an evidence-informed alcohol reduction app
Hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption is estimated to be high among UK-based Punjabi-Sikh men at 16–41% [1,2]
Using in-depth interviews and a think aloud method, this study aimed to explore the views of UKbased, Punjabi-Sikh men on: (i) alcohol consumption within the community; (ii) available support for alcohol reduction; and (iii) an evidence-informed alcohol reduction app
Summary
Introduction and AimsWe aimed to explore UK-based Punjabi-Sikh men’s views on: (i) alcohol consumption within the community; (ii) available support for alcohol reduction; and (iii) an evidence-informed alcohol reduction app. Many PunjabiSikh families with a member who drinks excessively express worry about others finding out, suggesting that heavy drinking is stigmatised within the community [11] This may be further explained by research indicating that Sikh families experience pressure to conform to religious values [12], with Sikh men reporting that they tend to drink alone or at home, as opposed to socially or publicly, suggesting that alcohol consumption is kept private [1]. This fear of stigma may act to deter Punjabi-Sikh men from seeking health-care professional support to reduce drinking [10]
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