Possibilities for Co-Creation in Adolescents’ Alcohol Prevention

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to pilot methods for the involvement and empowerment of adolescents in regard to alcohol consumption and situational abstinence and the possibilities of adolescent-created narratives in alcohol abuse prevention. Alcohol consumption is analysed from the practice theory perspective, where alcohol consumption is an independent practice shared through various personal stories. Action research and co-creation methods were used in workshop sessions with adolescents in one school in Estonia. Adolescents aged 13–15 participated in the workshops and engaged in storytelling and the co-creation of stories. During five meetings, participants shared their views and experiences regarding alcohol party culture and situational abstinence. Short and informal participatory action research meetings made it possible for adolescents to express their thoughts regarding alcohol culture, especially norms. The participants did not consider alcohol consumption to be problematic, and they found videos showing immediate consequences to be the best way to reach adolescents. Two different types of parties were discussed, and insight was provided on how a planned alcohol-free party turned into an alcohol party. However, action research and the co-creation method presented challenges, since the highly structured school context leaves adolescents little unstructured time that can be used for this kind of research, and fitting these activities into their tight schedules was complicated.