Exploring the relationship between alcohol and sexual decision-making
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the relationship between alcohol and sexual decision-making in adults attending sexual health clinics, with a particular emphasis on those aged over 25 years.
IRAS ID
137734
Contact name
Claire Sullivan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Research summary
The aim of this qualitative study is to explore with both patients (attending the sexual health service) and clinical teams (working within the sexual health service) their perceptions of the role alcohol plays as a factor in sexual-decision making. There will be a particular focus on those aged over 25 years of age.
An ethnographic approach will be used in the form of non-participant observation. There will be informal discussions with staff, observations of clinics and audio-recorded interviews with both patients and staff.
The researcher will observe the consultation between the clinician and patient to see if and how alcohol is raised as a factor by either party. The researcher will where possible identify any variations by gender, age, life-stage, sexuality or other emergent factor.
The interviews with patients attending the clinic will explore the individual’s propensity to risky behaviours, their perception of sexual risk, whether alcohol was used intentionally to facilitate a specific sexual encounter which led to their attendance at the clinic, whether its use contributed to impairment or regret and whether this behaviour represents their routine behaviour.
The interviews with the clinical team will explore their perceptions of factors that influence sexual decision making, including sexual risk and the role they perceive of alcohol as a factor. Observations and interviews will help identify whether their approach and intervention varies by age, gender, sexuality and life-stage (students/divorced/single) of the patients.
The ethnographic method will involve the researcher becoming immersed in the sexual health clinic setting for periods at a time in order to establish a direct relationship with the clinical team, observe the interactions and understand the beliefs and practices. The researcher will also make field notes during the course of the field work.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NE/0352
Date of REC Opinion
6 Mar 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion