Using qualitative methods within a mixed-methods approach to developing and evaluating interventions to address harmful alcohol use among young people.

Objective: This article illustrates how qualitative methods can be used in the development and evaluation of behavior change interventions. Although many campaigns advise young people to drink responsibly, few clarify how to convert this general advice into specific behavioral strategies. Resilience-based approaches argue that treating young non-drinkers and moderate drinkers as "experts" in responsible alcohol use may facilitate co-creation of acceptable interventions that focus on how to change behavior.

How alike are young non-drinkers, former-drinkers, low-risk drinkers, and hazardous drinkers?

The aim of this study was to examine whether - in terms of personality characteristics and beliefs--former-drinkers and people who have never consumed alcohol exist on a continuum that includes low-risk drinkers and hazardous drinkers, or are distinct groups. An online questionnaire hosted on a secure server was completed by 1418 young people (642 men and 776 women) aged 16-21 living in South-East England. Participants' scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were used to classify them as non-drinkers, former-drinkers, low-risk drinkers or hazardous drinkers.

Which alcohol control strategies do young people think are effective?

Introduction And Aims: The aims of this study were to examine young people's belief in the effectiveness of various alcohol control strategies and to identify demographic, attitudinal and behavioural correlates of perceived effectiveness.

Design And Methods: An online questionnaire hosted on a secure server was completed by 1418 men and women aged 16-21 years living in South-East England. It assessed the perceived effectiveness of various alcohol control strategies.