Background for High Risk Drinking Habits Among Adult Women: A Qualitative Study of Trigger, Maintenance, and Promotion Factors

Abstract

Background Alcohol consumption can lead to significant health issues, such as non-communicable diseases. In recent years, an increase in alcohol consumption among women has been reported. However, previous research on alcohol consumption has mostly focused on young adults, and little is known on the drinking habits of adult women in general. The present study aimed to qualitatively examine the background characteristics and social factors of women at increased alcohol consumption.

Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 adult women who consumed 20g or more of ethanol per day regarding their reasons for drinking and related factors. Data were analyzed using open coding to extract key concepts.

Results Three key domains were identified: the influences that initiate women’s drinking habits, those that maintain and escalate drinking, and the social factors in which drinking takes place. In addition, the following were implicated as remarkable risk factors for alcohol-related non-communicable diseases in women: “family stress”, which provides situations different in nature from what young people typically experience, can trigger the formation of drinking habits; “positive emotional experience” and “misunderstanding of effects and risks” can lead to high risk drinking without awareness; and casual drinking at home” leads to an increase in drinking opportunities and a rise in consumption due to the absence of women who typically play a moderating role in regulating drinking behavior.

Conclusion Preventing alcohol-related health issues, including non-communicable diseases, requires implementing measures that take the underlying context into account.