‘Maturing Out’ as dilemmatic: Transitions towards relatively light drinking practices among UK University students

Abstract

Objectives University students in the UK engage in relatively high alcohol consumption levels, yet young adults, including students, now drink less than previously and abstain more. Against this cultural backdrop, our objective was to further understanding of ‘maturing out’ of excessive drinking practices among students by focusing on drinking transitions that had taken place during university years. Design A qualitative interview study. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten 18‐ to 27‐year‐old UK undergraduate university students who self‐identified as light or non‐drinkers. Interviews were audio‐recorded, and anonymized interview transcripts were subjected to an experience‐focused application of thematic analysis. Results Participants reported dilemmas involved in transitions from relatively high to low levels of alcohol consumption. One dilemma was characterized by managing to drink less (or nothing) without cutting off social options with university friends/peers. A second dilemma concerned not wishing to fully abandon the pleasures and increased social confidence that alcohol consumption could afford. Results also demonstrated that self‐reported drinking could contradict participants’ self‐defined ‘light drinker’ status. Conclusions This study reinforces the view that ‘maturing out’ involves more than simply having gained new responsibilities during young adulthood. Recognition of these dilemmatic features of drinking transitions could be drawn on in novel campus‐based interventions. Such interventions may help strengthen realistic and sustainable moderate drinking by guiding students to anticipate potential difficulties involved in planned reductions in personal drinking but may also help foster students’ ability to view drinking choices as in transition rather than as permanent and enduring.

Constructing and negotiating boundaries of morally acceptable alcohol use: A discursive psychology of justifying alcohol consumption

“…A second key finding was that speakers rejected objective unit guidelines and focused on more nuanced and subjective measures to define acceptability in alcohol use. However, research has shown that individuals may have difficulties in accurately assessing their own drinking, with self-reported levels of drinking contradicting individuals' self-defined status as a 'light-drinker' (ONS, 2018;Conroy, Morton & Griffin, 2021). The data within this paper demonstrates how self-assessments of acceptable or problematic alcohol use are not based upon objective guidelines or even innate self-perceptions, but shifted between interactions with different group members and contexts.…”

Exploring the Sport–Alcohol Relationship: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study of Student-Athlete Drinking Following the Transition out of University

“…There is some existing research on students who transition from heavy-tomoderate or heavy-to-light drinking (e.g., Conroy et al, 2021). This research shows that the transition from heavy-to-lighter drinking brings with it a range of dilemmas that individuals must consider and negotiate.…”

“…This research shows that the transition from heavy-to-lighter drinking brings with it a range of dilemmas that individuals must consider and negotiate. Conroy et al (2021) suggest that future interventions should take account of the dilemmatic nature of the transition. For example, they recommend a reflective diary approach that enables students to log and reflect upon their transition experiences and to identify the benefits of lighter drinking.…”

“…Although the links between hazardous and harmful drinking and participation in collegiate sport have been noted, it has been suggested that heavy drinking among students is a harmless expression of youthful high spirits, which they will grow out of once they assume the responsibilities of adult life (Arria et al, 2016;Vik et al, 2003). This phenomenon is referred to as "maturing out" (Conroy et al, 2021;O'Malley, 2004). There is a significant body of research suggesting that individuals do mature out of excessive drinking once they make the transition from adolescence to adulthood (Lee & Sher, 2018;Windle, 2020).…”