Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This research examines the drinking patterns of university students and identifies the primary reasons for problematic drinking among students from diverse cultural backgrounds.The uniqueness of binge drinking in postsecondary institutions (suggested in previous literature) is considered, as are gendered and racialized patterns of drinking behaviour.Twenty-one semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with university students of Western and Asian origin and of both genders.Social identity theory and role theory were combined under the umbrella of Bourdieu's theory of practice to interpret the gendered and racialized drinking behaviour of these students.Linking the attitudes and motives that individuals have with respect to drinking with their gender and cultural identities, this research reports three key findings.First, the amount of alcohol consumption varies according to an individual's gender and cultural background.Second, identification as a university student and conforming to perceptions of normative drinking on campus strongly influences students' own drinking behaviour, and exaggerates problematic drinking among students.Third, differences in social norms, role expectations, and values clearly correlate with gender and ethnic differences when it comes to drinking behaviour.Based on these findings, the thesis concludes with a discussion of measures for prevention and risk reduction of problematic drinking among university students, and offers directions for future research. Key ConceptsKey concepts in the research include problematic drinking, gender identity, and cultural identity.Problematic drinking can mean a number of different things.In this research, it means a particular pattern of alcohol use defined as drinking that exceeds levels outlined in Canada's low
Author: Jie Miao
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2526927736