Critical incidents and the perception of health risks: The experiences of young people in relation to their use of alcohol and tobacco

Abstract

Personal experience of an accident or ill-health might be expected to challenge a young person's sense of invulnerability when it comes to health risks. Such experiences might act as 'critical incidents' that drive home the message that 'it could indeed happen to me' and make the young person more concerned to avoid unnecessary health risks. But, is this 'rational' expectation borne out in practice? The research reported here investigates the extent to which such experiences constitute critical incidentsflashpoints in the lives of young people influencing their perceptions of health risks. In particular, it investigates how young people, aged 1516 years, reflect on their personal experiences and the degree to which they believe the experiences have affected them. Based on survey research, focus groups and interviews conducted in the East Midlands of England, a diversity of responses is reported and discussed. The findings indicate that the objective features of critical incidents in themselves are not the crucial factor influencing changes in attitudes and behaviour. More importantly, it is the meaning that young people give to those incidents that is significant.

Keywords:

• Critical Incidents
• Health Risks
• Young People
• Risk
• Alcohol And Tobacco Use
• Perceptions Of Risk