Motivations for tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents: a qualitative approach

Identifier:  imarina:9452228

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9452228

Authors:  Sanchez-Aragon, Anna; Pastor-Gosalbez, Inma

Abstract:
This study aims to explore the main motivations driving adolescents to consume tobacco and alcohol. Between March and June 2023, 12 focus groups were conducted with a total of 131 adolescents (aged 15 to 17) from nine secondary schools in Tarragona (Spain). The identified motivations were grouped into nine key dimensions: seeking fun and new sensations, alleviating emotional discomfort, social contagion and peer pressure, consumption as a rite of passage, using cigarettes to flirt, influence of the family microsystem (e.g., having smoking parents), easy access to the product, addiction, and low risk perception. These motivations differ by gender, highlighting the importance of considering this dimension in public health strategies. This finding is consistent with recent research that confirms the strong relationship between gender norms and substance use.