Understanding young males’ alcohol use around water: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

Drowning is a major issue worldwide, particularly for young men. Additionally, alcohol and drug use have been identified as major risk factors for drowning in males aged 18-34. The current study used a qualitative approach to investigate and understand the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes that young males hold towards consuming alcohol around water. Through inductive analyses of interviews with 23 males who have previously consumed alcohol around water, participants provided rich in-depth descriptions of their lived experience which allowed the current study to isolate a range of commonly occurring themes. These themes can play a key role in planning future research and campaigns aimed at reducing young males’ consumption of alcohol around water. Findings provide support for potential public safety campaigns, policy changes, and intervention programs to reduce alcohol consumption around water by targeting behavioural, normative and control beliefs associated with alcohol consumption around water.