The theory of planned behavior used to explain alcohol drinking among young adolescents in Thailand: a qualitative study

Objective: This study aimed to explore alcohol drinking behavior using the theory of planned behavior as a framework.Methods: A semi-structured interview methodology was employed with early adolescents (10-14 years of age; N = 61, boy = 27, and girls = 34) in Chonburi Province, Thailand. A descriptive qualitative approach was applied between December 2019 and March 2020. The purposive study sample was used, and a thematic qualitative analysis was performed.Results: The main finding is that the attitude and the subjective norms appear to be the components with the most influence on underage drinking. Early adolescents pressured by peers and offered alcohol from their parents would have more intent to drink than others. Therefore, perceiving self-control to resist alcohol use is attributed to being terrified to be punished and unwanted to disappoint the parents.Conclusions: The findings suggest that for intervention development, enhancing adolescents' life skills, self-esteem, alcohol drinking refusal skill, and family-based intervention are needed to change young people's intention on alcohol drinking.