Emotional, embodied and affective geographies of alcohol, drinking and drunkenness

Abstract

This paper develops dialogue between geographers' engagement with emotion, embodiment and affect, and geographical research on alcohol, drinking and drunkenness. In doing so, we focus on the long-running 'moral panic' relating to alcohol-related violence, disorder and drunken behaviour in urban public space. We argue there has been an ontological and epistemological impasse in 'alcohol studies' between approaches that have considered the biological, physiological and psychological impacts of alcohol consumption and those focused on social and cultural practices. While there has been an artificial separation, and hence under-theorisation of the relationships between emotions, embodiment, affect and everyday uses of alcohol, we develop an argument that signals the possibilities of a more nuanced and sophisticated approach. We present empirical research from the UK and offer theoretical, methodological and policy-relevant conclusions.key words emotions embodiment affect alcohol drinking drunkenness

Local policies to tackle a national problem: Comparative qualitative case studies of an English local authority alcohol availability intervention

“…Retail practices and outlet types have been the focus of previous research from various disciplines including geography, anthropology and sociology (Bøhling, 2015;Chatterton and Hollands, 2003;Eldridge and Roberts, 2008;Jayne et al, 2010;Shaw, 2014;Taylor and Falconer, 2014;Valentine, 2007): such research could inform evaluations seeking to examine changes in the alcohol environment (Gruenewald et al, 2002). The relationship between outlet type and area deprivation could also aid understanding of how changes to the alcohol environment relate to health inequalities and urban regeneration goals (Shortt et al, 2015).…”

Using qualitative methods within a mixed-methods approach to developing and evaluating interventions to address harmful alcohol use among young people.

“…Conventional campaigns also tend to focus on individual responsibility and ignore the group-based social nature of drinking (de Visser et al, 2013;Fry, 2011;Harrison et al, 2011;Hutton, 2012;Jayne et al, 2010;Szmigin et al, 2011). Therefore, campaigns that target individual harms arising from HED may be dismissed as irrelevant, particularly given that many are perceived to employ a patronizing, paternalistic, or preaching tone (de Visser et al, 2013).…”

“…Therefore, campaigns that target individual harms arising from HED may be dismissed as irrelevant, particularly given that many are perceived to employ a patronizing, paternalistic, or preaching tone (de Visser et al, 2013). Peer group drinking and drunkenness are important aspects of the social lives of many young people: the individual experience of intoxication is often accompanied by enhanced feelings of togetherness (Brown & Gregg, 2012;de Visser et al, 2013;Fry, 2011;Jayne et al, 2010;Livingstone, Young & Manstead, 2011;MacNeela & Bredin, 2011;Szmigin et al, 2011;Thurnell-Read, 2011). Furthermore, recent qualitative research has revealed that many young people believe that some negative aspects of drinking -such as caring for drunk friends, being cared for when drunk, and suffering through hangovers with friends -offer opportunities for strengthening interpersonal bonds (de Visser et al, 2013).…”

“…The content and structure of the video were designed in line with best practice in health psychology and behavior change theory, and recent qualitative research into psychosocial aspects of alcohol use (Brown & Gregg, 2012;de Visser et al, 2013;Jayne et al, 2010;Livingstone et al, 2011;MacNeela & Bredin, 2011;Szmigin et al, 2011). The approach involved several different techniques identified in Abraham and Michie's (2008) taxonomy of behavior change intervention techniques -providing information about others' approval; prompting identification of barriers; providing general encouragement; modeling behavior; and providing opportunities for social comparison; providing information about consequences; teaching use of prompts/cues; and planning social support.…”

‘With us, we, like, physically can’t’: Transport, Mobility and the Leisure Experiences of Teenage Wheelchair Users

“…Although there is a wealth of geographical literature about emotion (Davidson et al 2007;Jayne et al 2010;Smith et al 2011;Thien 2005), relatively few studies consider the emotional and experiential aspects of transport use for disabled (young) people. This suggests that understandings of transport exclusion and transport disability are at present partial.…”