Underage drinking, group identity and access to alcohol: a qualitative study of Chinese youths

Despite substantial research into underage youth's source of alcohol, few studies have examined how they go about obtaining alcohol through various means. This study explored the nature of alcohol access by Chinese adolescents and how their own perceptions around alcohol availability influence them to source alcohol in particular ways. This research involved focus groups with 111 young people aged 14-17 in Hong Kong, China. A grounded theory analysis was conducted using NVivo 10. While participants perceived ease of obtaining alcohol from retail outlets, proxy purchasing through friendship group members was reported as routine experience primarily to avoid potential embarrassment of being turned away. Convincing vendors that they were of legal drinking age was the convention used most commonly by Chinese teen drinkers. Participants expressed resentment toward adults who were willing to supply minors with alcohol. Nevertheless, this feeling of disappointment did not alter the ways they sourced alcohol. Access activities embodied a symbol of group identity in the collectivist Chinese culture. Results suggest that greater consideration should be given to understanding the complex interplay between alcohol access and community experience within peers. The perceived importance of face saving in Chinese culture may provide avenues for preventing youth access to alcohol.