Open AccessZoom (Virtual) Happy Hours and Drinking During COVID-19 in the US: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
Author(s) -
Sheila Pakdaman,
John D. Clapp
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
health behavior and policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2326-4403
DOI - 10.14485/hbpr.8.1.1
Subject(s) - boredom , zoom , pandemic , videoconferencing , covid-19 , exploratory research , psychology , qualitative research , applied psychology , social psychology , internet privacy , medicine , computer science , multimedia , engineering , sociology , social science , disease , pathology , anthropology , petroleum engineering , infectious disease (medical specialty) , lens (geology)
Objective: In this study, we investigated video conferencing platforms (eg, Zoom) used as a means to gather virtually as a unique drinking environment during the pandemic. Methods: Using online recruitment strategies, we conducted 42 qualitative Zoom® interviews. Interviewees were 21-64 years of age from various locations in the United States. Results: During the pandemic, most individuals reported higher drinking intake to offset boredom and stress. As a drinking environment, video conferencing calls were perceived as poor substitutes for in-person drinking interactions. Conclusions: Our data suggest drinking behaviors and contexts changed during the pandemic restrictions, but virtual happy hours did not drive this change.