A transformative and social marketing ecosystem investigation into drug use among young adults

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the underresearched transformative service research (TSR) and social marketing segment of young adults who use drugs and identify motivators that have been studied in previous literature, using a service ecosystem lens and provide direction for future research into this area. This research provides the evidence-based knowledge for transformative service and social marketing practitioners to design transformative services that target these motivators. Design/methodology/approach This systematic review, guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis framework, examines and analyses 207 articles published between 2015 and 2020. Findings This study identified that young adults are motivated to take drugs to enhance one’s experience, to cope, for social reasons, because of individual characteristics and for other reasons. Research has largely focused on microsystem and mesosystem motivators with data collected mainly using a microsystem approach. Originality/value This paper contributes to the TSR and social marketing literature by providing a holistic investigation into all motivators relevant to young adult drug use. An ecosystem classification and theoretical framework of the motivators is curated to help guide future TSR and social marketing research and interventions.

Navigating services for consumers with disabilities: a comprehensive review and conceptual framework

“…In different situations, past literature reviews have used micro-, meso- and macro-categorizations for their frameworks (Lomba, 2017; Riedel et al , 2023), but this review does not. When viewed closely, the framework is a mix of micro, meso and macro factors.…”

“…Previte and Robertson (2019) used TSR and evidence-based design research to show the significance of field research in designing health-care services for patient well-being, whereas Anderson et al (2018) emphasized consumer participation and patient–provider collaboration. Riedel et al (2023) reviewed young adult drug use literature to show how micro- and macro-systems might identify drug use reasons for TSR-inspired services. Loomba (2017) uses human trafficking to offer a continuum of active-passive transformational services and the role of service providers in developing reactive micro-, meso- and macro-level services to help survivors survive.…”