Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies
Objectives: This study reviews qualitative research into the sociocultural meanings and subjective experiences that midlife men in the United Kingdom (UK) associate with their drinking. In the UK, average weekly alcohol consumption is highest among midlife men, and they are disproportionately affect...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Addictive Behaviors Reports |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235285321830083X |
| _version_ | 1811236635931574272 |
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| author | Hannah Parke Monika Michalska Andrew Russell Antony C. Moss Clare Holdsworth Jonathan Ling John Larsen |
| author_facet | Hannah Parke Monika Michalska Andrew Russell Antony C. Moss Clare Holdsworth Jonathan Ling John Larsen |
| author_sort | Hannah Parke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: This study reviews qualitative research into the sociocultural meanings and subjective experiences that midlife men in the United Kingdom (UK) associate with their drinking. In the UK, average weekly alcohol consumption is highest among midlife men, and they are disproportionately affected by alcohol harm. There is increasing recognition that public health messages to support behaviour change must be based on an in-depth understanding of drinking motivations and experiences. Study design and methods: Systematic literature review of studies exploring motivations for and experiences of drinking among UK men aged 45–60 using qualitative methodology. Medline, PsycINFO and the Social Science Citation Index were used, along with manual searches of key journals, Google searches and a call for evidence. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was used to quality-assess papers. Thematic synthesis was used to combine and analyse the data. Results: From 5172 titles and abstracts (1995–2018), 11 publications were included, representing 6 unique studies. Five themes were identified: ‘Drinking Motivations’; ‘Drinking Justifications’; ‘Drinking Strategies and Control’; ‘Social Norms and Identity’ and ‘Harm’. Motivations for drinking among midlife men were associated with relaxation, socialising and maintenance of male friendships. They justified drinking as a choice and emphasised their ability to meet responsibilities, which they contrasted with ‘problem drinkers’. Social norms governed drinking behaviours as an expression of masculinity. Conclusion: This review highlights the significance of the meanings and social importance of alcohol consumption among midlife men. Interventions using information and guidance should consider these when aiming to effectively influence the way this group drinks. Keywords: United Kingdom, Systematic review, Thematic synthesis, Alcohol, Midlife men, Experience, Sociocultural meaning |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T12:11:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70bbe02bc13d46788ab222d8712a7b4f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2352-8532 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T12:11:14Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addictive Behaviors Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-70bbe02bc13d46788ab222d8712a7b4f2022-12-22T03:33:34ZengElsevierAddictive Behaviors Reports2352-85322018-12-0188594Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studiesHannah Parke0Monika Michalska1Andrew Russell2Antony C. Moss3Clare Holdsworth4Jonathan Ling5John Larsen6Drinkaware, London, United KingdomCentre for Addictive Behaviours Research, London South Bank University, London, United KingdomDrinkaware, London, United KingdomSchool of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, United KingdomSchool of Physical and Geographical Sciences, Keele University, Keele, United KingdomDepartment of Pharmacy, Health and Wellbeing, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, United KingdomDrinkaware, London, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.Objectives: This study reviews qualitative research into the sociocultural meanings and subjective experiences that midlife men in the United Kingdom (UK) associate with their drinking. In the UK, average weekly alcohol consumption is highest among midlife men, and they are disproportionately affected by alcohol harm. There is increasing recognition that public health messages to support behaviour change must be based on an in-depth understanding of drinking motivations and experiences. Study design and methods: Systematic literature review of studies exploring motivations for and experiences of drinking among UK men aged 45–60 using qualitative methodology. Medline, PsycINFO and the Social Science Citation Index were used, along with manual searches of key journals, Google searches and a call for evidence. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was used to quality-assess papers. Thematic synthesis was used to combine and analyse the data. Results: From 5172 titles and abstracts (1995–2018), 11 publications were included, representing 6 unique studies. Five themes were identified: ‘Drinking Motivations’; ‘Drinking Justifications’; ‘Drinking Strategies and Control’; ‘Social Norms and Identity’ and ‘Harm’. Motivations for drinking among midlife men were associated with relaxation, socialising and maintenance of male friendships. They justified drinking as a choice and emphasised their ability to meet responsibilities, which they contrasted with ‘problem drinkers’. Social norms governed drinking behaviours as an expression of masculinity. Conclusion: This review highlights the significance of the meanings and social importance of alcohol consumption among midlife men. Interventions using information and guidance should consider these when aiming to effectively influence the way this group drinks. Keywords: United Kingdom, Systematic review, Thematic synthesis, Alcohol, Midlife men, Experience, Sociocultural meaninghttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235285321830083X |
| spellingShingle | Hannah Parke Monika Michalska Andrew Russell Antony C. Moss Clare Holdsworth Jonathan Ling John Larsen Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies Addictive Behaviors Reports |
| title | Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies |
| title_full | Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies |
| title_fullStr | Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies |
| title_short | Understanding drinking among midlife men in the United Kingdom: A systematic review of qualitative studies |
| title_sort | understanding drinking among midlife men in the united kingdom a systematic review of qualitative studies |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235285321830083X |
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