Students have long been the focus of alcohol misuse prevention research, due to the high prevalence of excessive consumption, or “binge drinking,” alongside negative health outcomes identified within student groups. Previous studies have primarily focused on alcohol misuse among university students, but little attention has been given to the experiences of students who abstain from alcohol or engage in light drinking. Abstainers and light drinkers often face social exclusion, peer pressure, and stigma in alcohol-centric university environments, which can negatively impact their sense of belonging and overall university experience. This study aims to understand alcohol abstainer and light drinking students’ university experiences and perceptions of university alcohol cultures, given recent trends in alcohol drinking behavior.
The study utilized semi-structured focus group interviews involving 10 undergraduate students, aged 21 to 26, from a medium-sized university in Central England. Participants were recruited based on their status as either alcohol abstainers (five participants) or light drinkers (five participants) as determined by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). The focus groups, co-led by student researchers, explored themes related to alcohol culture on campus, social pressures, peer perceptions, and the availability of non-alcoholic social activities. Data from these interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, and the student-led co-creation approach ensured that the findings were deeply connected to student perspectives.
The study revealed that alcohol culture remains deeply ingrained in university social life, with alcohol often being leveraged as a tool for student recruitment and financial gain. Participants frequently expressed feeling excluded from social activities due to the alcohol-centric nature of university events, though they generally observed a high level of peer acceptance regarding their non-drinking or light-drinking choices. The thematic analysis identified three key themes: (1) the pervasive influence of alcohol in university culture, (2) the co-existing realities of social pressures alongside peer acceptance, and (3) the lack of inclusive university social spaces. While many students reported peer acceptance of their non-drinking status, participants underscored the need for universities to foster more inclusive social environments that are not centered around alcohol, enabling all students to fully engage in campus life.
Takeaway: Creating inclusive social spaces for non-drinkers and light drinkers is crucial to ensure all students are fully integrated into campus life.