Care-experienced young people’s reflections on their relationship to and use of alcohol: A qualitative exploration

Alderson, Hayley; Lingam, Raghu; Brown, Rebecca; McGovern, Ruth

Abstract

Evidence suggests that looked after children and care leavers start to use alcohol earlier than their peers and at higher levels. Much of this epidemiological research focuses upon a pathological vulnerability within the young people concerned, but qualitative research which elicits their experiences with alcohol enables a more nuanced understanding. This article explores the experiences and reflections of young people in care regarding their exposure to and use of alcohol. Twenty qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people who were members of Children in Care Councils (CiCCs) across the North East of England, and a socio-ecological model was used to guide data analysis. The findings suggest that experience prior to being in care, such as witnessing the detrimental effects of alcohol misuse and transitions within the care system, can both precipitate and deter an individual’s use, particularly when entering and living in residential care. The study highlights how a mixture of social and contextual factors influence young people in care’s perceptions and use of alcohol.

Citation

Alderson, H., Lingam, R., Brown, R., & McGovern, R. (2023). Care-experienced young people’s reflections on their relationship to and use of alcohol: A qualitative exploration. Adoption and Fostering, 47(1), 6-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/03085759231154269

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Mar 24, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 19, 2023
• Journal: Adoption & Fostering
• Print ISSN: 0308-5759
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-469X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 47
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 6-21
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03085759231154269
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1169366