Franco Prina

Young people and alcohol in Italy: An evolving relationship

In Italy, commonly held opinions and interpretations about the relationship between young people and alcohol are often expressed as generalizations and approximations. In order to further understanding of the relationship between young people and alcohol in contemporary Italy, we have gathered, compared and discussed all the available data, both in relation to their approach to and consumption of alcoholic drinks and also to risk behaviours. Analysing this data highlights the dangers of a simplistic interpretation of youth alcohol consumption and confirms its complexity and cultural specificity. The globalization processes of contemporary society have led to a homogenization of consumption styles, but despite this, typical elements of drinking cultures that traditionally characterize the specific social and cultural contexts seem to persist in Europe, even among young people. By comparing the data it can be argued that the level of risk among young Italians appears to be lower than in other countries. Nevertheless, from the same research data emerges that can be interpreted as an indicator that this is changing. This data highlights a dual risk for political decision makers and health promoters and practitioners: on the one hand, the risk of excessive and counterproductive alarmism and, on the other, the equally dangerous reappraisal and understating of the changes taking place.

The Research Outcome: Summary and Conclusions on the Reduction in Wine Consumption in Italy

This article summarizes the way we tried to understand why Italians, since the early 1970s, have reduced their wine consumption in the absence of drinking-control policies. The curve trend could be plausibly explained, in its upward phase, mainly by income and price mechanisms, while in the downward phase it reflected multiple factors. Although some of these factors (urbanization, work in factories, and the services sector) were intensely developing in the growth phase of alcohol consumption, they produced evident effects on the wine consumption decrease as well. In addition, overall consumption patterns of the 1970s were affected, in conjunction with the consolidation of a new lifestyle imposed by the change. Thus, these factors determined the first phase of the trends reversal. Other factors (social mobility, redefinition of ways to use leisure time, changes in the family structure and in the role of women, de-structuring of meals, personal care, health consciousness), emerged and consolidated on a mass level during the 1980s and 1990s. How and why this happened became clearer by asking the actors in this change. To qualitatively reconstruct their experiences and the way in which they went through the processes just described complemented the quantitative point of view.

Images of alcohol among Italian adolescents. Understanding their point of view

Aims: This study aims to plug the gap about how young people understand their direct and indirect experience with alcohol by investigating the prevalent images of alcohol among 15-year-olds. The study also aims to clarify the position of young Italians towards traditional Italian drinking culture. Methods: Twenty-two focus groups were organized in two Italian towns, Torino and Cosenza. The focus groups (FGs) used the Reception Analytical Group Interview (RAGI) method, wherein respondents are invited to discuss after seeing video clips used as a stimulus. The material thus collected was analysed through an approach that takes both the participants’ interpretative processes and their socio-cultural environment into consideration. Findings: Using ‘drinking situations’ as an analytical tool, it was found that young peoples images about drinking are still in line with tradition, as are the importance assigned to social drinking and the stigma attached to intoxication. Young people also appear to be aware of the negative consequences of drinking, even if the risks related to pharmaceutical use seem to be underestimated. Conclusions: Results cast doubt on the supposed convergence of drinking patterns within Europe and provide useful insights for the development of alcohol use and abuse policies and prevention.

Adults’ views of young people's drinking in Italy: An explorative qualitative research

Aims: This study aims to investigate the views of adults towards youth drinking, and what they think about alcohol-related parenting styles, as these attitudes are among the factors most affecting adolescents’ alcohol use and misuse. Methods: Ten focus groups involving 30 parents and 32 teachers were organized in two towns located in Northern (Torino) and Southern (Cosenza) Italy. The Reception Analytical Group Interview (RAGI) method was used, employing video-clips as stimuli. Findings: Gaps in adults understanding of youth drinking were found, the most important being the overestimation of young peoples appreciation of drunkenness and the underestimation of young peoples pharmaceutical use of alcohol. Parents viewed the family as the main influence on youth drinking and alcohol-related problems, but had doubts about what alcohol-specific parental practices are best. Conclusion: General reflection is needed about the public discourse surrounding youth drinking and its influences on the views of adults. In addition, more evidence is needed about the effectiveness of alcohol-specific parenting practices, so that parents can be better informed.

Young People, Alcohol and Norms: Italian Young People’s Opinions and Attitudes towards Alcohol Regulation

The study examines Italian young people’s opinions and attitudes towards alcohol policies in order to shed light on the potential challenges to the introduction of more restrictive policies. A mixed methods research design was employed. A CAWI survey and online forum targeted 15–25 year olds, resulting in 1,816 valid responses to the online questionnaires and 86 blog comments; focus groups were conducted with two different groups, aged 15–17 and 23–25, including 31 participants. The study indicated that young people are rather well informed about the law, and have generally positive opinions about alcohol-related regulation. Nevertheless, opinions and behaviours do not always match. Findings are consistent with more general reflections about the gap between attitudes and behaviours. A large majority of respondents express negative opinions about more restrictive alcohol availability norms. The study shows the lack of enforcement of current laws and the consequences of that on young people’s attitudes towards the law.