Lester Coleman

Underage 'binge' drinking: A qualitative study into motivations and outcomes

This paper reports findings from a qualitative study examining young peoples perceived motivations for ‘binge’ drinking, and the associated harmful outcomes. Sixty-four, in-depth, one-to-one interviews were carried out with 14 to 17 year olds in southern England who had experience of binge drinking. Given the underage sample, most of this drinking occurred in unsupervised, outdoor locations. Key motivations were those relating to social facilitation and the increased comfort in social situations, individual benefits (such as the ‘buzz’) and social norms and influences (including wider social norms and peer influence). The main outcomes were grouped into consequences for health (such as unsafe sexual behaviour and accidents) and personal safety (including walking home alone). The variety, prevalence and severity of these outcomes clearly supports the notion that binge drinking increases the risk of potential harm. Acknowledging the reported pleasures of binge drinking, this research supports a harm-minimization approach to alcohol education, and the promotion of ‘safer’ or more ‘sensible’ drinking. Of interest, this research highlighted that the youngest age groups, typically aged 14–15 in this sample, were prone to more harmful outcomes given their predominance of drinking in unsupervised, outdoor locations. It seems that making the transition to drinking in pubs/bars, offers a protective factor for a number of risky outcomes. The findings also argue the case for the compulsory inclusion of alcohol education in schools, and structural reforms to encourage a change in the binge-drinking culture.

‘Planned’ Teenage Pregnancy: Perspectives of Young Women from Disadvantaged Backgrounds in England

The reduction of teenage pregnancy has attracted much interest in research, practice and social policy. Little is known about teenagers who report their pregnancies as ‘planned’. Forty-one in-depth interviews were undertaken, in six different parts of England, among young women who reported their pregnancy as ‘planned’. The mean age at conception for a ‘planned’ pregnancy was 16.8 years. Three key themes emerged when analysing the interview data. Firstly, young women reported varied accounts in the extent their pregnancy was planned (from clear discussions with partner, through to ‘positive ambivalence’). Secondly, the women associated childhood experiences and their social and personal backgrounds with their decision to ‘plan’ pregnancy (including an unsettled background and negative educational experiences). Thirdly, more explicitly and directly, young women viewed pregnancy as a chance to gain a new identity and change direction in life. Young women perceived this decision as highly rational and one that had contributed to a dramatic improvement in their life. The paper debates the current policy emphasis on reducing teenage pregnancy and young motherhood, draws reference to theoretical foundations of fragmented transitions to adulthood and class cultural constructions of motherhood, and outlines implications for teenage pregnancy reduction.

Sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours: variations among a religiously diverse sample of young people in London, UK

Objective. To report young peoples variations in sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours by religious affiliation. Design. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey administered in 16 Secondary/High schools in London, UK. The sample consisted of 3007 students in school Years 11–13 (aged 15–18), present in school on the day of questionnaire administration. Excluding those who described themselves as ‘Other religious’, 15.9% (n=418) described themselves as having no religious affiliation, 36.3% (n=957) were Christian, 25.8% (n=679) were Muslim and 22.1% were Hindu (n=582). The religious affiliation varied within and across different ethnic groups. Method. Self-administered questionnaire completed under ‘exam’ conditions, either in tutor groups or a school hall. The 30-minute questionnaires were distributed and collected by a team of ethnically and religiously diverse fieldworkers. Results. Religious students, as opposed to those reporting no religious affiliation, generally reported poorer sexual health knowledge, and were more conservative in their attitudes to sex. Among males and females, those with no religious affiliation and Christian students reported the highest prevalence of sexual intercourse by some margin (around 20 percentage points) over the Hindus and Muslims. Christian males most frequently reported sexual intercourse at 49.7%, and Muslim females the least at 9.0%. Among those reporting sexual intercourse, risk behaviours among all religious and non-religious students were evident. Over one-third of Muslim females who had sexual intercourse did not use contraception on their first occasion compared to 10% of those with no religious affiliation, 12% of Christians and 20% of Hindus. Christian and Muslim females reported the highest prevalence of ever not using contraception at 55%, and non-use of contraception with two or more sexual intercourse partners at 14%. Conclusion. The findings demonstrate diverse sexual health knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behaviours among young people with different religious affiliations. These variations demonstrate the importance of tailoring health education and promotion interventions to meet the specific needs of young people from a variety of different religions. The challenge ahead is to find ways to work with these young people to broach such sensitive issues.

Changing the culture of young people's binge drinking: From motivations to practical solutions

Aims: This paper explores young peoples own opinions about how the ‘drinking to get drunk’ culture can be changed. More precisely, the two objectives of this study were to explore: (1) whether young people viewed binge drinking as a real ‘problem’; and (2) what they thought could be done to reduce binge drinking. Methods: Forty in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were held with young binge drinkers aged 18–25 years. Participants were recruited from nine different community-based sites in Caerphilly Borough County, South Wales (a binge drinking ‘hot-spot’). Findings: On the whole, most young people did not classify themselves as binge drinkers, with drinking considered to be part of a normal and fun existence. Although some people thought nothing would work to stop binge drinking, other responses included: shock-tactics that young people could relate to (i.e. experiences of peers rather than ‘diseased livers’), witnessing and reflecting on antisocial and embarrassing behaviour, acknowledging the likelihood of regretted sexual experiences, and greater enforcement of not purchasing alcohol when drunk. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of a more understandable definition of binge drinking, perhaps based on being drunk rather than units. Also, opinions suggest that youth-, culturally- and ethnically-specific interventions are likely to be more effective. To close, the paper emphasizes the importance of any intervention having the full support of a methodologically sound and rigorous evaluation.

Sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among an ethnically diverse sample of young people in the UK

Objective To provide evidence about the sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of an ethnically diverse sample of young people from Secondary/High schools in London. Design Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. The sample consisted of students in school Years 11 to 13 (aged 15–18 years), present in school on the day of questionnaire administration. Setting Sixteen Secondary/High schools in London where the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) population exceeded two-thirds of the intake. Questionnaires were completed by 2602 students aged 15 to 18, who self-defined their ethnicity as follows: White British (n= 559), White Other (n = 256), Black (n = 710) and Asian (n = 1077). Method Self-administered 30-minute questionnaire completed under ‘exam’ conditions, distributed and collected by a team of ethnically diverse fieldworkers. This questionnaire recorded socio-demographic information, sexual health knowledge, sexual health attitudes, experience of sexual intercourse, and sexual risk behaviour and outcomes. Results BME groups, relative to White British, generally reported poorer sexual health knowledge. Low level knowledge regarding STIs was particularly evident. The White British students were generally the most liberal in their attitudes to sex. With 65 per cent of Black Caribbean males reporting experience of sexual intercourse, and 48 per cent reporting first intercourse under the age of 16, this group is possibly the most at risk of poor sexual health. Although less likely to report sexual inter-course than Black Caribbeans, Black African females and Asian males and females also reported risk behaviour. Conclusion The findings demonstrate diverse sexual health knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behaviours among ethnic groups. This diversity demonstrates the importance of tailoring health education and promotion to meet the specific needs of ethnic groups.

Preferences towards sex education and information from an ethnically diverse sample of young people

This paper reports sex education preferences from an ethnically diverse sample of 3007 15–18 year olds. Findings are presented on preferred topics, where and from whom young people would like to receive this information. Preferences were centred around learning more about sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in particular, and receiving this at school from someone ‘professional’ and of similar age. Females showed a greater preference towards learning about emotions, relationships and contraception, and to having this delivered by someone of the same sex. Of the four main ethnic groups, Black and Asian students generally reported more sex education preferences than White British or White Other students. Black students wanted to learn more about biological issues and cultural issues alongside sexual behaviour and STIs. Black male students reported a greater than average preference towards family‐based information, and interest towards someone of the same ethnic background delivering sex education was also expressed. Asian students reported stronger preferences for more information about STIs and contraception, and wished to keep sex education out of the family household. Implications for sex and relationships education and working with professionals and parents are outlined.