Underage ‘binge drinking’: A qualitative study into motivations and outcomes

Abstract

This qualitative study examined young peoples’ perceptions of their motivations for binge drinking and its outcomes. Semistructured interviews were conducted on a one-to-one basis with 64 14-17-year-olds who had experience of binge drinking, defined here as ‘excessive drinking over the course of a single session resulting in self-reported drunkenness’. Participants were recruited voluntarily from a range of schools, colleges, youth clubs, Youth Offending Teams and Connections teams in south England. Each interview was tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed on a thematic basis. Motivations included social facilitation, such as increased ease in social situations; individual benefits like getting a ‘buzz’, and the influence of social norms and peer pressure. Binge drinking was perceived to be an acceptable and common behaviour among this age group. Many participants had experienced the harmful effects of binge drinking on their health and safety: frequently regretted sexual encounters as well as injury through fights or accidents. Binge drinkers often risked their personal safety; women were more likely to walk home alone and men to engage in dangerous behaviour. The authors concluded that these outcomes support the harmful effects of binge drinking. However, given the enjoyment associated with it, they endorse a harm-minimisation approach to alcohol education and the promotion of ‘sensible’ drinking in this age group including compulsory education at school.