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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

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25-02-2021 | Original Article

Conformity Behaviors: a Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration of Binge Drinking Among Female College Students

Authors: Tiffany Erin Gorsuch Bainter, Michelle L. Ackerman

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 4/2022

Abstract

The present study explored binge drinking as a conformity behavior as it related to self-esteem and social acceptance in young adults. The researcher gathered information regarding the lived experience of young adults’ engagement in binge drinking to increase self-esteem and social acceptance using a qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). A purposive sample of five female college students aged 22–24 meeting the inclusion criteria via researcher-developed screening was recruited. Data was collected via face-to-face, semi-structured interviews that were then transcribed, member-checked, and analyzed according to the IPA methodology. Themes included the following: low self-esteem was associated with behavior, low self-esteem was associated with binge drinking, and low relational value was associated with binge drinking. These findings have expanded upon the existing research regarding the role of binge drinking as a conformity behavior as it impacted self-esteem and social acceptance in attempts to increase relational value in young adults.

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Title: Conformity Behaviors: a Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration of Binge Drinking Among Female College Students
Authors: Tiffany Erin Gorsuch Bainter
Michelle L. Ackerman
Publication date: 25-02-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00501-6

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Conformity Behaviors: a Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration of Binge Drinking Among Female College Students

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