Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine French adolescents’ experiences and perception of alcohol use.
Method: Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with a total of 57 adolescents ranging from 12 to 18 years old.
Measures: All interviews were conducted according to a similar discussion grid. Coding and analysis were carried out with N’vivo software. The coding grid was drawn up according to team consensus, using a cross-reference approach, based on phenomenology and discourse analysis.
Results: Adolescents are mostly introduced to alcohol consumption in family contexts while peer-influence usually increases this to regular or even excessive consumption. Consuming alcohol in this way is often seen as a means of fostering and strengthening friendships as well as of assuming one’s identity. Adolescents tend to play down their alcohol use, deeming it to be a transitory phase. They limit their consumption according to the effects it induces rather than to the number of drinks.
Recommendations: Specific alcohol harm-reduction strategies for adolescents appear to be a promising way to prevent alcohol misuse and an innovative technique could be to focus on setting limits on alcohol consumption based on adolescents’ proprioceptive sensations.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.