Uncertain identities and health‐risking behaviour: the case of young people and smoking in late modernity

Abstract

This paper argues that 'uncertain identities' are a distinct contributing factor to the residual and intractable level of smoking among young people. Further, it argues that the significance of this factor is increased by the specific social/historical context of late modernity. Findings from research with 15 to 16 year olds in the East Midlands of England are used to explore the role that smoking is perceived to play in constructing a self identity. A voluntaristic perspective is adopted on the use of tobacco, reflecting both the focus on young people's motivation to smoke and the tendency for many young people to perceive smoking as a matter of personal choice. Smoking was found to have a symbolic significance not only in terms of the presentation of self to others but also in terms of the reflexive construction of the self by those involved. The paper analyses the role of smoking in relation to self-image, self-empowerment and self-affirmation and it is concluded that for many young people smoking has certain benefits in terms of coping with uncertain identities.

A Q-methodological Investigation into the Meanings of Cigarette Consumption

“…Looking 'hard' or 'tough' closely follows coolness in frequency (e.g. Denscombe, 2001b). The use of cigarettes as a symbol of transition into adulthood has also been reported (e.g.…”

“…Being depressed (Clayton, 1991), stress reduction and stress management (e.g. Denscombe, 2001b), relaxation (e.g. Gilliard & Bruchon-Schweiter, 2001), relief of boredom (e.g.…”

“…There also tends to be an acceptance of the notion that passive smoking harms non-smokers (Glantz & Jamieson, 2000). However, either cognitively or discursively, smokers also act to minimise the perceived threat to themselves (Moffat & Johnson, 2000), even claiming a sense of personal invulnerability (Chamberlain & O'Neill, 1998;Denscombe, 2001b). It is argued that there is not necessarily a great deal of benefit in quitting (Chamberlain & O'Neill, 1998).…”

“…For example, to look 'cool' has been most often suggested (e.g. Denscombe, 2001b;Lennon, Galloise, Owen & McDermott, 2005;Seguire & Chalmers, 2000). Looking 'hard' or 'tough' closely follows coolness in frequency (e.g.…”

Students’ Drinker Prototypes and Alcohol Use in a Naturalistic Setting

“…Most of these studies are based on the idea that young people are conscious about images of products and behaviors, and that their motivation to perform a particular behavior depends on the social image associated with it (Chassin et al, 1985;Denscombe, 2001;Lloyd et al, 1998;MacFadyen et al, 2003). A dominant theoretical model in this line of research is the Prototype-Willingness model, developed by Gibbons and Gerrard Gibbons et al, 2003).…”