AsianScientist (Nov. 21, 2013) – Australian researchers have studied thousands of alcohol drinkers to reveal four “drinking types”, giving insights into the links between personality, cultural influences, and drinking to excess.
The research, funded by VicHealth and led by RMIT’s Associate Professor Mike Reid, was conducted in two parts.
Researchers first held in-depth interviews with an online community of drinkers, followed by an online survey of 2,500 Victorians about the factors that influenced their drinking behavior.
The team analysed the emerging common themes and came up with four categories of drinkers: the initiator, the follower, the moderator and the protector.
The results of the survey have been transformed into an interactive online quiz and website to help Victorians see where they fit in the spectrum.
Associate Professor Reid, from the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, said the enduring conclusion from their investigation was that rather than blaming people who drink to excess, we should instead empower responsible drinking.
“Our deeply ingrained drinking culture makes people think they need a reason not to drink rather than a reason to drink,” Reid said. “Of the four drinking types our research identified, ‘initiators’ and ‘followers’ are clearly the most problematic – one pushes the boundaries and drinks too much, while the other follows, thinking if they don’t they will be seen in a negative light.”
Reid added that effective change requires people to have socially permissible ways to participate in our culture without drinking to excess. Drinkers need to be provided with tools and resources to empower them to drink responsibly with a reassurance that they will be socially accepted.
“We need a multi-pronged approach to addressing the social role of alcohol and this project lays the foundation stone for the long road ahead to change our attitudes towards harmful drinking and ultimately improve the health of all Victorians,” Reid said.
Drinking Types
The Initiator (40 percent of survey sample):
- Outgoing and the ‘life of the party’
- Drinks to have fun
- Likes to be a source of information on alcohol brands, types of drinks and places to go out
The Follower (13 percent of survey sample):
- Fun, social and easy-going
- Influenced by social and cultural pressures
- Gets swept up in the moment and enjoyment of social situations
The Moderator (26 percent of survey sample):
- Self-disciplined and self-sufficient
- Knows when to say ‘no’
- Likes to have a drink or two but that’s it
The Protector (21 percent of survey sample):
- Controlled and conscientious
- Looks out for others when out socializing
- Happy to abstain while others are drinking
Take the Drinking Types quiz.
The report can be found at: Reid M et al. (2013) Drinking-related lifestyles: exploring the role of alcohol in Victorians’ lives.
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Source: RMIT; Photo: jreifegerste/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
