Ungoverned access to alcohol among adolescents aged 15-17. The role of socio-economic status and community context

Despite some reductions in the consumption of alcohol by young people under 18 in the UK have been noted (Marcheselli, 2016; SALSUS, 2015/6), and there is some evidence those that do drink are more likely to drink excessively (Murray and McVie, 2016). The health and social harms arising from this consumption of alcohol are more likely to be felt by those from more socially and economically areas . Attempts to impede young people’s access to alcohol have tended to focus on supply through licenced premises despite the evidence that the most common sources of alcohol for those under 18 is through the family home, and their parents (Ward and Snow, 2011). Whilst the question was rarely asked directly, studies in this area suggest that parents’ are motivated by a desire to reduce consumption and maintain some level of control and influence over their children (Kypri et al, 2007). Parents were more likely to provide alcohol if they thought their child already drank, it was in a supervised setting and the alcohol provided excluded spirits – essentially they saw it as a harm minimisation measure (Mattick et al, 2017; Ward and Snow, 2011).

What is missing from the existing evidence base is a focus on the impact of socio-economic status and community context (which are seen to be related to the harmful impact of alcohol consumption) on the motivations and practices of parents and their ability to sustain strategies aimed at reducing harm. The research will provide insight into how parents can be supported in their strategies to more effectively reduce alcohol related harm in their adolescent children.

Objectives
1. To map the ungoverned access routes to alcohol for young people
2. To explore the role and motivations of parents in enabling access to alcohol

This project will be positioned in socially contrasting areas within CLAHRC neighbourhoods for learning to explore the ways in which alcohol strategies vary/shift linked to social class and SES.

Applications are made by complete an application for PhD Health Research October 2017 through our online application system. Closing date, midnight 3rd April 2017. Informal enquires about the project should be made directly to Dr Mark Limmer