“You have to drink with a little bit of shame”: Alcohol and other drug use among young people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Migrant and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented in alcohol and other drug (AOD) research. This qualitative study explored AOD use among young people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia. We conducted one focus group and 16 interviews and thematically analyzed data drawing on the social-ecological model of health. Theme one showed AOD use was considered a “normal” part of youth identity, particularly for participants who had grown up with peer groups in Australia. Theme two highlighted participant’s sense of responsibility to meet expectations and make informed decisions about AOD use to protect themselves and their friends. Theme three highlighted participant’s risk of experiencing AOD-related stigma through negative stereotypes and fear of consequences within families and communities, particularly among female participants. Participants’ perceptions and experiences differed by individual factors, interpersonal relationships, AOD accessibility across settings and broader gender, cultural and religious norms. Interventions developed with young people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds are needed to target the social-ecological factors underpinning AOD use, particularly stigma.

Keywords:

• Young people
• migrant and ethnic minority
• alcohol
• illicit drugs
• social-ecological model

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the participants for sharing their experiences and the assistance of Centre for Multicultural Youth and Wyndham City Council in participant recruitment. We gratefully acknowledge the support that the Burnet Institute receives from the Victorian Operational Infrastructure Support Program. CD is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program stipend. ML is supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Career Development Fellowship. DH is supported by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship. MEH receives fellowship support from the NHMRC.

Declaration of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a community grant from Wyndham City Council.