The impact of social network contact on recovery from alcohol problems
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of social network contact on recovery from alcohol problems
IRAS ID
274684
Contact name
Thomas Watson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
The proposed study explores patterns of temptation to drink alcohol among recovering alcoholics and links between temptation and contact with the social network. Previous research suggests that social network structure and dynamics are associated with an individual’s substance use. However, this relationship is not well understood in adult alcoholics longitudinally on a micro (day-to-day) timescale. Neglected in previous research, this will be investigated using a mixed methods approach.
The research aims to recruit 10–15 alcoholics from an addiction service in Solihull. Participants will engage in a semi-structured interview exploring the structure and alcohol-related attitudes of their social (ego) network. Over the following two-weeks, they will record their contact with network members and rate their momentary temptation to drink and confidence in controlling drinking. They will be prompted to do this at two quasi-random timepoints each day (within predesignated time windows) using a custom-made app. Participants will provide qualitative descriptions on the results and feedback on the process.
Data will be analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative timeseries analysis will investigate whether patterns of temptation and confidence over time are related to patterns of social contact (e.g. whether certain contact types increase or decrease confidence and temptation). Qualitative interviews will explore perceptions of these links, and the feasibility of this approach. Responses will be analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Combining timeseries and qualitative data in alcoholics is a novel approach in alcohol literature, as is examining the link between network contact and temptation and confidence. As such, the research provides a substantial addition to the literature. It focuses on both observed and perceived links between social networks and alcohol-temptation, while piloting a novel approach in assessing this via an app.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0096
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion