Factors influencing alcohol use among female in-school adolescents in the Western Cape, South Africa

Author:

Hlomani-Nyawasha Thokozani J1ORCID,Meyer-Weitz Anna1,Egbe Catherine O23ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Discipline of Psychology, School of Applied Human Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

2. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa

3. Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

The increasing levels and more frequent use of alcohol among females, especially those in younger age groups, is a worldwide concern. An in-depth understanding of this phenomenon is, however, limited. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing alcohol use among female adolescent students as guided by the ecological systems theory of Bronfenbrenner. Data were collected from 25 female high school students in Grade 9 in the Western Cape, South Africa, using five individual semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions with each group comprising 10 students. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study indicated that participants begin drinking at an early age and due to low self-esteem, which makes them prone to peer influence. Female adolescents are also influenced by various factors residing within the microsystem (family members and peers), mesosystem (lack of parental attention, weak mother-to-daughter relationship, influence of peers and dating partners), exosystem (media advertisement and lifestyle of celebrities), macrosystem (change in societal roles), and chronosystem (transition to higher education). Interventions are needed in schools to help female adolescents resist peer pressure and cope with the changing environment of high school. Also, parents should be educated on the influence of their drinking behaviour on their children in order for them to be more cautious when drinking at home. Adolescent students will benefit from educational materials on the harmfulness of alcohol use.

Funder

South African Medical Research Council

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Psychology

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3