Attributes of the drinker prototype among Thai adolescents

Abstract

Favorability of and perceived similarity to the attributes of the prototypical teen drinker (a known risk factor for adolescent alcohol use) have not been examined in Thailand. The purpose of this study was to identify the key attributes of the drinker prototype among Thai adolescents. Forty-three adolescents aged 13–15 were recruited from a public middle school in Ubon Ratchathani Province in Thailand’s northeast region. Participants first individually listed characteristics of adolescent Thai drinkers and then did the same in age/gender matched focus groups. Member checking with two to three participants from each focus group was conducted to validate the lists. Content analysis was used to identify the most relevant attributes of the adolescent drinker prototype. Six attributes were identified: sociable, fighter, talkative, cool, mature, and funny. These attributes were used to modify an existing prototype questionnaire so that favorability of and similarity to the drinker prototype can be examined in Thai adolescents.

Keywords:

• image
• cross-cultural
• alcohol
• instrument development

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Prototypes are images of a “typical” person who engages in a specific type of risk behavior, such as alcohol use. The prototype of the teenage drinker is that they are funny, cool, popular, confident, etc. Researchers have found that teenagers who view these traits as positive and teenagers who believe they are similar to these traits are at risk for high levels of alcohol use. The traits of the teenage drinker prototype differ for different age groups and people of different cultures. In Thailand, the traits of the teenage drinker prototype are unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the key traits of the Thai teenage drinker prototype. We conducted group-based interviews with 43 adolescents aged 13–15 from a school in northeast Thailand. The interviews revealed six key traits of Thai adolescent drinkers: sociable, fighter, talkative, cool, mature, and funny. These traits will be used to modify an existing drinker prototype questionnaire to make it appropriate for use with Thai adolescents.

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank seventh, eighth and ninth grade students from a public middle school in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, who participated the study.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The research was partially supported by a grant received from the College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Notes on contributors

Patcharee Jaigarun

Dr. Patcharee Jaigarun completed this study as part of a doctoral dissertation at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing in the United States. Her research is focused on identifying modifiable cognitive risk factors for alcohol use in Thai teenagers in order to prevent early alcohol use. Dr. Jaigarun is now on faculty at Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Sanpasitthiprasong, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. Dr. Corte was Dr. Jaigarun’s faculty advisor and dissertation chairperson at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing. Dr. Corte’s program of research is focused on the drinker identity as a cognitive vulnerability for alcohol use in adolescents. The other coauthors were members of Dr. Jaigarun’s PhD dissertation committee. Dr. McCreary has expertise in development and adaptation of cross-cultural measures. Dr. Hughes is an alcohol researcher. Dr. Finnegan is a methods expert. Dr. Thorkildsen is an educational psychologist with expertise in adolescent development.