University Alcohol Policy: Findings from Mixed Methods Research and Implications for Students’ Drinking Practices

Leontini, Rose; Schofield, Toni; Hepworth, Julie; Germov, John

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-28607-1_14

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…TRAs have their own institutional identities that can include a history of academic excellence, sporting achievements and a considerable number of traditions that are valued by students and staff. Thus, from their day-to-day routines to their leisure and drinking traditions, students inhabit their TRA as a temporary but cherished “microcosm” ( Leontini et al, 2019 , p. 283) that meets their educational and residential needs alongside a variety of leisure activities. Within the latter category are parties, celebrations, sports and cultural events.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student drinking cultures in tertiary education residential accommodation: A contextual research study

Leontini

Corney

2022

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

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Background: In Australia, harmful drinking among students aged 18–24 years in tertiary education residential accommodation (TRA) remains high, placing students at higher risk of harms than non-TRA and university peers. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the context-specific factors distinctive to TRAs that supported a heavy drinking culture among students. Conducted across three sites in Melbourne, Australia, the purpose of the study was to inform the development of context-specific harm reduction interventions for these sites. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with 32 students to examine their lived experience of drinking within the distinctive environments of their TRAs. The data were examined using thematic data analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) routine drinking in TRAs; (2) drinking for social inclusion in the TRA; and (3) TRA alcohol governance and students’ self-regulation. The data show that factors contributing to these TRA drinking cultures included: liberty to store alcohol and drink on campus; freshers’ belief that admission to the TRA was conditional on “partying hard”; students’ belief that staff supported the TRA drinking culture; and poor dissemination and operationalisation of TRA alcohol policy. Collectively, these factors fostered an environment that enabled frequent and heavy alcohol consumption among residents. Conclusions: The TRA drinking cultures were supported by social and regulatory factors specific to these institutions and, in particular, by a liberal approach to TRA alcohol governance and poorly disseminated alcohol policy that made widespread heavy drinking possible. Drinking cultures in TRAs can be changed through appropriate interventions that include nuanced policy and effective governance.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%