Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study

IntroductionAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent among ethnic minority young adults. However, there is limited evidence exploring its health impact and contributing factors in ethnically marginalized young adults. Therefore, this study examined the reasons for developing AUD and its effect on the...

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Main Authors: Getaneh Mulualem Belay, Mak Yim Wah, Katherine Ka Wai Lam, Qi Liu, Mao Ting, Chen Xi, Funa Yang, Cynthia Sau Ting Wu, Ka Yan Ho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560092/full
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author Getaneh Mulualem Belay
Mak Yim Wah
Katherine Ka Wai Lam
Qi Liu
Mao Ting
Chen Xi
Funa Yang
Cynthia Sau Ting Wu
Ka Yan Ho
author_facet Getaneh Mulualem Belay
Mak Yim Wah
Katherine Ka Wai Lam
Qi Liu
Mao Ting
Chen Xi
Funa Yang
Cynthia Sau Ting Wu
Ka Yan Ho
author_sort Getaneh Mulualem Belay
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent among ethnic minority young adults. However, there is limited evidence exploring its health impact and contributing factors in ethnically marginalized young adults. Therefore, this study examined the reasons for developing AUD and its effect on the daily lives of ethnic minority young adults.MethodA descriptive phenomenological study was conducted from March 1 to June 30, 2023. Participants were recruited through referral using the exponential snowball sampling technique. A total of 22 ethnic minority young adults were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The sample size was determined based on data saturation. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in English. Then, the data was analyzed using Colaizzi’s method.ResultsThis study suggested that the reasons for developing AUD among ethnic minority young adults were (1) culture and family, (2) hedonistic motives, (3) curiosity, (4) low-risk perception, (5) coping motives, (6) social influences, and (7) subjective cravings. Moreover, this study indicated that ineffective daily performance, emotional turmoil, financial constraints, and social relationship issues were the impacts of AUD on this segment of the population.ConclusionThe findings highlighted the multifaceted reasons contributing to AUD among ethnic minority young adults, including coping, low-risk perception, and influences from culture, family, and peers. The findings also showed how AUD severely affected their daily lives. Therefore, future interventional studies should consider cultural, family, social, and psychological aspects.
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spelling doaj-art-2ec7d5eba630438a8dcb2d256ffd45892025-08-20T03:22:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15600921560092Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological studyGetaneh Mulualem BelayMak Yim WahKatherine Ka Wai LamQi LiuMao TingChen XiFuna YangCynthia Sau Ting WuKa Yan HoIntroductionAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent among ethnic minority young adults. However, there is limited evidence exploring its health impact and contributing factors in ethnically marginalized young adults. Therefore, this study examined the reasons for developing AUD and its effect on the daily lives of ethnic minority young adults.MethodA descriptive phenomenological study was conducted from March 1 to June 30, 2023. Participants were recruited through referral using the exponential snowball sampling technique. A total of 22 ethnic minority young adults were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The sample size was determined based on data saturation. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in English. Then, the data was analyzed using Colaizzi’s method.ResultsThis study suggested that the reasons for developing AUD among ethnic minority young adults were (1) culture and family, (2) hedonistic motives, (3) curiosity, (4) low-risk perception, (5) coping motives, (6) social influences, and (7) subjective cravings. Moreover, this study indicated that ineffective daily performance, emotional turmoil, financial constraints, and social relationship issues were the impacts of AUD on this segment of the population.ConclusionThe findings highlighted the multifaceted reasons contributing to AUD among ethnic minority young adults, including coping, low-risk perception, and influences from culture, family, and peers. The findings also showed how AUD severely affected their daily lives. Therefore, future interventional studies should consider cultural, family, social, and psychological aspects.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560092/fullalcohol use disorderethnic minorityimpactsreasonsyoung adults
spellingShingle Getaneh Mulualem Belay
Mak Yim Wah
Katherine Ka Wai Lam
Qi Liu
Mao Ting
Chen Xi
Funa Yang
Cynthia Sau Ting Wu
Ka Yan Ho
Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study
Frontiers in Public Health
alcohol use disorder
ethnic minority
impacts
reasons
young adults
title Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study
title_full Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study
title_fullStr Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study
title_full_unstemmed Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study
title_short Reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults: a descriptive phenomenological study
title_sort reasons and impacts of alcohol use disorder among ethnic minority young adults a descriptive phenomenological study
topic alcohol use disorder
ethnic minority
impacts
reasons
young adults
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560092/full
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