The theory of planned behavior used to explain alcohol drinking among young adolescents in Thailand: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study aimed to explore alcohol drinking behavior using the theory of planned behavior as a framework.

Methods

A semi-structured interview methodology was employed with early adolescents (10–14 years of age; N = 61, boy = 27, and girls = 34) in Chonburi Province, Thailand. A descriptive qualitative approach was applied between December 2019 and March 2020. The purposive study sample was used, and a thematic qualitative analysis was performed.

Results

The main finding is that the attitude and the subjective norms appear to be the components with the most influence on underage drinking. Early adolescents pressured by peers and offered alcohol from their parents would have more intent to drink than others. Therefore, perceiving self-control to resist alcohol use is attributed to being terrified to be punished and unwanted to disappoint the parents.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that for intervention development, enhancing adolescents’ life skills, self-esteem, alcohol drinking refusal skill, and family-based intervention are needed to change young people’s intention on alcohol drinking.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• early adolescent
• qualitative
• theory of planned behavior

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.