Exploring Contributing Factors of Solitary Drinking among Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents and Young Adults: A Descriptive Phenomenology

Ka-Yan Ho, Katherine-Ka-Wai Lam, Cynthia-Sau-Ting Wu, Man-Nok Tong, Lai-Ngo Tang and Yim-Wah Mak
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Ka-Yan Ho: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Katherine-Ka-Wai Lam: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Cynthia-Sau-Ting Wu: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Man-Nok Tong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Lai-Ngo Tang: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Yim-Wah Mak: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Adolescents and young adults mostly drink alcohol because of social activities. However, some drink outside of normative social contexts, exhibiting a behaviour pattern known as solitary drinking. Increasing evidence indicates that solitary drinking is strongly associated with problematic drinking in adolescents and young adults. However, it remains unclear why individuals initiate and maintain this drinking habit. To address this gap in the existing literature, the current study explored the factors contributing to solitary drinking in this population. Descriptive phenomenology was used. A convenience sample of 44 solitary drinkers aged between 10 and 24 were invited to undergo individual semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed by two researchers separately using Colaizzi’s method. Using qualitative descriptions, the following factors were identified as explaining the initiation and continuation of solitary drinking among adolescents and young adults: (1) enhancement and coping drinking motives, (2) social discomfort, (3) reduced self-control, (4) automatic mental process, and (5) a desperate response to stressors. Since reduced self-control plays an important role in long-term addiction, future studies should be conducted to determine potential applications of mindfulness-based interventions to improve self-control, which may prevent the progression from solitary drinking to alcohol use disorder.

Keywords: solitary drinking; alcohol use disorder; qualitative study; adolescent; young adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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