Benefits of social non-drinking identified by British university students: a mixed methods study Dominic Conroy, Postdoctoral researcher, Birkbeck University Alcohol Research UK Early Career Symposium 4th April 2017

Background Young people in the UK engage in relatively high risk alcohol consumption 40% increase in #of 16-24 year olds who drink no alcohol at all [Office for National Statistics, 2015]. Challenges but also positives/benefits of non-drinking including more positive experience of self + enhanced feelings of choice (Conroy & de Visser, 2015), and possible personal well-being benefits (reduced anxiety) of not drinking (O’Hara et al., 2014). Study aims: Identify range of benefits of social non-drinking among young people Explore whether/how identified benefits were associated with recent drinking history and psychological correlates of harmful drinking.

Method & sample Mixed methods research design. Secondary data analysis of 18-25 year student responses to mental imagery intervention designed to promote moderate drinking Students were then asked to think about personally relevant short or longer-term benefits of social non-drinking and to record these as free-text responses. Almost half of participants (N = 237, 46.4%) had engaged in social non-drinking on one or more social occasions in the previous week.

Phase 1 – Template analysis Free-text responses from 511 individuals, content suitable for qualitative analysis in 75 responses (14.6% overall dataset). 49 ♀ and 26 ♂ participants (M.age= 20y, M. alc prev week= 18.1 units). Template analysis = flexible analytic framework [King, 2004]. Four superordinate themes- Improved physical and psychological health Feeling more positive about who you are Stronger friendships and peer relationships Enjoying a more stable and prosperous life

Stronger friendships and peer relationships (n = 245)   N = Higher quality social bonds and commitments 101 Would have a clearer experience during the social occasion 47 Would be able to take a role looking after drinking friends 27 Would experience higher quality in-occasion social interaction 29 Would gain a more favourable view of who you are among peers and family 9 Would be able to enjoy time out socializing more Would experience higher quality social interaction beyond the occasion 4 Would avoid negative social effects of hangovers 2 Clearer sense of boundaries between self and others and within group dynamic 85 Would evade drink-related social embarrassment or judgement from other people 78 Would feel good about not succumbing to peer pressure to drink alcohol 41 Would help reduce group expectations of heavy drinking during the social occasion 7 Able to explore wider range of social opportunities 24 Would be able to enjoy other social activities or hobbies (e.g. watching films) 17 Would be able to develop new friendships (incl. with non- /light-drinkers) New perspective on alcohol consumption in social life 103 Would help me feel less dependent on alcohol for socializing 88 Would gain objective perspective on how alcohol influences social interactions 16 Would be able to enjoy drinking time when it happened more

Two illustrations Able to explore wider range of social opportunities Quote 10: Having in-depth, sober, conversations with a lot of uni friends who i only ever tend to see now when going for a night out, being sober may be better in these types of situations to make the most of the time that I do see them (F19) New perspective on alcohol consumption in social life Quote 14: Reminding myself that drinking too regularly cheapens more special nights out or events where you want to drink (M3)

Phase 2 – Quantitative analysis 361 female, 150 male students aged 18-25 years Measures of Recent drinking history Intention to drink within government recommended levels Descriptive norms/injunctive norms Drink refusal self-efficacy Among men only, more health-adherent drinking intention among individuals endorsing stronger friendships as a benefit of social non- drinking (β = 0.21, p = .006).

Discussion points Policy link- taking dry days Building young people’s ability to not drink in situation congruent with current medical recommendations on the importance of taking regular alcohol-free days as part of a more moderate approach to alcohol consumption (Department of Health, 2016). Gain-framed message application? personalized or generic ‘gains’ of social non-drinking (e.g., increased agency, higher quality social relationships) may encourage reduced alcohol consumption among university students. ?gains of social non-drinking might be easier to imagine/appeal than gains of moderate drinking.

Contact details Abstract accepted for special issue of Drug & Alcohol Review on declining youth drinking Dominic Conroy de_conroy@hotmail.com On researchgate Based in North London