Acculturation and alcohol: Exploring experiences of alcohol for Asian international students in Australia |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia;2. Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia;1. Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey;2. Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA;3. Trauma and Disaster Mental Health, Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey;4. WHO Country Office Turkey, Ankara, Turkey;1. University of Denver, United States;2. University of Dayton, United States;3. University of Michigan, United States;4. University of Victoria, Canada;1. Department of Criminology, Ariel University, Israel;2. Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zefat Academic College, 11 Jerusalem Street, Zefat, 13206, Israel;3. Institute of Criminology, Hebrew University, Israel;1. University of Bologna, Department of Psychology, Berti Pichat 5, Bologna, Italy;2. Social Sciences University of Ankara, Department of Sociology, 06050, Ulus, Alt?nda?, Ankara, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | Acculturation can be a challenging experience for Asian international students moving to Western countries for study. The majority of international students are young adults, a population that has recently entered the legal alcohol purchase age, and who might not be familiar with new regulatory contexts and socio-cultural environments where drinking is common. Informed by theories of acculturative stress, ethno-identity conflict and adaptation, we explored 15 Asian international students’ lived experiences of alcohol in Australia, and the social, cultural and religious contexts within which these experiences were situated. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken, with an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis exploring subjective experiences of alcohol and acculturation processes. Participants articulated numerous and varied experiences of their transitions, however, did not draw connections between stressful transition experiences and subsequent drinking. Most participants reported having increased their drinking since arrival in Australia, and although many participants had adapted to Australian patterns of drinking and socialising, they also reported it was challenging to navigate different cultural and social expectations and values around alcohol that were strongly rooted as a part of their ethnic heritage. Our participants’ experiences may be useful to inform future research on this much under-studied topic, as well as being used by universities to consider appropriate strategies for addressing alcohol-related acculturation processes as part of orientation curriculum with international students. |
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| Keywords: | Alcohol International students Acculturation Qualitative Australia Asia Young adults |
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