Drinking Trends of Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training: A Qualitative Study

Recent trends both in the UK and also more widely in an international context suggest underage drinking is declining amongst young people. However, it is believed some groups of young people are not following this trend.

A recent study has analysed the drinking trends of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The main aim of the project was to look at the experience of young people NEET, to see how the characteristics of this group have changed and whether this is reflected in their drinking patterns.

Interviews were conducted with 16 young people (aged 15-19).

The themes that emerged on analysis of the interviews were:

Many of the young people interviewed reported that they drank little or no alcohol.

• The young people reflected on early experimental drinking behaviour which they had now ‘grown out of.’
• For a small number drinking was not celebratory but rather a way of coping with stressful life experiences
• Drinking was linked with being invited to social events and popularity
• Exposure to drunkenness and risky behaviour tended to occur in their early teens. Where young people used to drink in parks, now there was more street drinking.
• The influence of social media in encouraging drinking was seen as being mostly on younger teenagers
• Images of drunkenness and being out of control on social media were given as reasons not to drink rather than being seen as encouraging drinking.

In summary, although young people described as NEET are drinking less, harmful behaviour as a result of alcohol is still happening and at younger ages.

The overall message of young people drinking less should not detract from the minority of young people drinking as a form of coping who require targeted support.