title: The importance of authenticity for student non-drinkers: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: Our article illustrates the importance of authenticity to student non-drinkers. Semi-structured interviews focussing on the lived experiences of five non-drinking students were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. We present four inter-related themes: 'Retaining authenticity by not drinking', 'Tainting the self by drinking alcohol', 'Feeling trapped by superimposition and self-exposition' and 'Doing what you want to do with your life'. Self-authenticity informed the decision not to drink, became relevant within conversations about non-drinking and underscored issues of choice and agency raised by alcohol consumption. Entrenched assumptions about alcohol's self-realising utility are challenged in our discussion, and future research recommendations are suggested.
authors.affiliation: University of Sussex, UK dc221@sussex.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.affiliation: University of Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Visser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: alcohol; authenticity; health behaviour; interpretative phenomenological analysis; university students