Open AccessA Qualitative Insight Into Factors Pertaining to Alcohol Consumption Among Young Adult Women During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Author(s) -
Amy Montague,
Ifigeneia Manitsa,
Fiona Barlow-Brown
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
emerging adulthood
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 2167-6984
pISSN - 2167-6968
DOI - 10.1177/21676968211067327
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , covid-19 , alcohol consumption , young adult , psychology , outbreak , cohabitation , snapshot (computer storage) , consumption (sociology) , qualitative research , developmental psychology , medicine , alcohol , sociology , geography , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , social science , biochemistry , chemistry , archaeology , pathology , virology , computer science , operating system
Emerging research suggests young adults, in particular women, may be especially sensitive to changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. This study, which is part of an ongoing research project focusing on young adulthood and substance use during the UK COVID-19 lockdown, aimed to provide an in-depth snapshot of factors that young adult women may describe as influential in their alcohol consumption during this period. Virtual semi-structured interviews were carried out on a sample of 12 (23–25 years) women between April and May 2020. The data were analysed through thematic analysis and preliminary findings led to the identification of three themes: (1) Changes to working environment, (2) Limitations on social opportunities and efforts to socialise in a ‘new normal’, and (3) Effects of cohabitation on increased alcohol consumption. The preliminary findings of this study highlight factors relevant to changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK.