Binge drinking behaviour, attitudes and beliefs in a UK community sample: An analysis by gender, age and deprivation
Drugs: education, prevention and policy, Volume 14, Issue 4 August 2007 , pages 289 - 303




Binge drinking has sparked considerable interest and concern. However, despite this interest little is known about the lay understanding of binge drinking and whether there are differences in understanding by gender, age and level of deprivation.

This study investigated the beliefs and attitudes to binge drinking of a sample in the Inverclyde area.

Definitions of binge drinking tended to concentrate on intoxication and some described a dependent drinking pattern. Causes and solutions offered were varied but pointed-up levels of deprivation in respect of jobs and entertainment. More subjects regarded binge drinking as a problem in society than locally, which is consistent with research suggesting that misperceptions of others' drinking increases with social distance.

Differences in beliefs were found by age and level of deprivation but not gender. It was marked that no subject offered the 'official' definition of bingeing or even an approximation of it.

Further research is required if future mass-media campaigns and interventions are to be relevant to the population.

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Reprint Request E-Mail: john mcmahon@paisley.ac.uk
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