Gender Matters: Identity, Risk Perception and Preventive Interventions for Alcohol Consumption among Adolescents Using a Qualitative Approach

Lucía Martínez-Manrique; Maitane Berasaluce; Xisca Sureda; María Sandín Vázquez

doi:10.3390/ijerph192416435

Gender Matters: Identity, Risk Perception and Preventive Interventions for Alcohol Consumption among Adolescents Using a Qualitative Approach

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 7;19(24):16435. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192416435.

Authors

Lucía Martínez-Manrique^{1

2}, Maitane Berasaluce², Xisca Sureda^{2

3

4

5}, María Sandín Vázquez^{2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Preventive Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario de Móstoles, C. Dr. Luis Montes, S/N, 28935 Madrid, Spain.
² Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28801 Madrid, Spain.
³ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, 205 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10017, USA.
⁴ Tobacco Control Research Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat Avinguda de la Granvia de l'Hospitalet, 199 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
⁵ Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
⁶ Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY 10027, USA.

Abstract

The epidemiological information available in Spain and the Community of Madrid highlights two relevant facts regarding alcohol consumption: an increase in binge drinking in teenagers and a reduction/reversal of the gender gap, particularly at young ages. This article aims to describe some of the factors related to alcohol use in teenagers, especially those related to gender and risk perception. A qualitative study was designed with semi-structured interviews and a discussion group with students from the city of Madrid aged 14 to 18 years. A descriptive analysis of the content of the replies of 28 teenagers was conducted. The results show that alcohol consumption has an identity component, both in terms of transition to adulthood and gender role performance. Consumption is also associated with risks, especially those determined by gender inequality, which teenagers learn to manage as a means of survival in nightlife. Preventive campaigns typically lack a gender perspective and a focus on risk prevention. To reduce the prevalence of consumption and associated risks, these strategies need to be reformulated with a gender perspective.

Keywords: adolescents; alcohol; gender; gender violence; qualitative; risks.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Alcohol Drinking* / epidemiology
Alcohol Drinking* / prevention & control
Ethanol*
Humans
Learning
Perception
Qualitative Research

Substances

Ethanol

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Convocatoria de la Línea de Actuación Estímulo a la Investigación de Jóvenes Doctores (Call for the Action Line Stimulating Research of Young Doctors), funded under the agreement between the Community of Madrid and UAH (CM/JIN/2019-021 and CM/JIN/2021-030) and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, Government of Spain Grant (PI19/01626).