Search is Powered by Google
Follow us on:
Follow our health news on Twitter
Follow Our News on Facebook
Personalization
login | register
Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News

Binge Drinking A Socially Acceptable British Pastime

rate icon Featured Article
Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Public Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 28 Dec 2008 - 6:00 PDT

email icon email to a friend   printer icon printer friendly   write icon view / write opinions
Current Article Ratings:

Patient / Public:4 stars

4 (5 votes)

Health Professional:1 and a half stars

1.5 (2 votes)

Article Opinions: 2 posts

A new study carried out by Professor Christina Griffin, University of Bath, England, and team indicates that young people's alcohol consumption in Britain seems to be levelling off. Extreme drinking and planned drunkenness is still perceived as the norm amongst young people, the researchers report.

Representations of binge drinking as a source of fun and an entertaining leisure activity, coupled with persistent media coverage of drunken celebrities have been key factors in making binge drinking a socially acceptable activity in the UK.

The linkage between alcohol and having fun is strengthened with adverts representing the 'coolness' of extreme drinking, as well as social networking websites that share images of drunken nights out.

In order to tackle the scourge of binge drinking, Prof. Griffin says "Top of my list would have to be to stop demonizing and making generalisations about young people and their drinking. We also need to listen and incorporate their views and perspectives."

Professor Isabelle Szmigin, University of Birmingham, said "Although many young people recognise the damage that 'drinking too much' can do to their health, and the associated risks of physical and sexual assault, few view these as more than short term problems."

"The study suggests a radical re-thinking of national alcohol policy is required which takes into account the social character of alcohol consumption and the identity implications for young people," said Professor Chris Hackley, Royal Holloway University of London.

The research involved in-depth interviews with 89 young people in three UK regions over a period of three years and is part of the 'Branded Consumption and Social Identification, Young People and Alcohol' project under the 'Identities and Social Actions' programme (RES 148-25-0021). This research was graded as good.

Principal Investigator: Prof Christine Griffin, Psychology, University of Bath; and: Prof Isabelle Szmigin, The Business School, University of Birmingham; Dr Willm Mistral, Mental Health Research & Development Unit, University of Bath; Professor Chris Hackley, Management, Royal Holloway College, University of London; Research Assistants: Dr Andrew Bengry-Howell, Psychology, University of Bath; Dr David Clarke, The Business School, University of Birmingham. Placement Students, Louise Weale and Danielle Tynan, University of Bath.

The research was funded by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the UK's largest funding agency for research, data resources and postgraduate training related to social and economic issues.

Source - The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today




Personalized Homepage Weekly Newsletters Daily News Alerts
Hemophilia Opioid Induced Constipation Pneumococcal Disease ADHD Anxiety Asthma Atrial Fibrillation Autism Cancer Diabetes Lung Cancer Lupus Medicare / Medicaid Obesity and BMI Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells All 'What Is...' Articles

Ophthalmology Urology
About Us News Licensing Free Website Feeds Free Tools & Content Tell a Friend Accessibility Help / FAQ Article Submission Links Contact Us

add medical news today to your facebook
medical news gadget

Haiti Appeal

Haiti Appeal Image
The severe earthquake that struck Haiti has inflicted damage and devastation on a massive scale. Please donate to the Doctors Without Borders Haiti Appeal.

PLEASE DONATE HERE


These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months:
Top Article Star
Mixing Alcohol And Sex Puts Young People At Risk
29 Nov 2009
Drinking alcohol increases the chances of young people taking risks, including with their sexual health, according to new research from alcohol charity Drinkaware and sexual health charity Brook...


Talking with Your Doctor image Talking with Your Doctor

Talking with your doctor can sometimes be difficult. Good health care, however, depends on an open dialogue between patients and doctors...

Keeping a Personal Medical Record image Keeping a Personal Medical Record

Medical information is usually scattered in many different places. To receive the best possible health care, people are encouraged to gather information in one place and create a personal medical record...

View more videos...