PERCEPTIONS OF DRINKERS AND ABSTAINERS IN A SAMPLE OF SCOTTISH ADULTS

Following Davies and Stacey's investigation (1972, Teenagersand Alcohol, HMSO, London) into perceptions of drinking andabstaining among Scottish teenagers, this study extended theirgeneral method to an investigation of the perceptions of 239Scottish adults. Results showed that the stereotypes of theheavy drinker as ‘tough and rebellious’ and theabstainer as ‘weak and cissy’ persist into adulthood.Heavy drinkers were seen as low on ‘sociability’and ‘sexual attractiveness’ and abstainers wereseen as less ‘sociable’ than moderate drinkers.There was also some evidence of a ‘double standard’in perceptions of male and female drinking roles. Other findingsconcerning the effects on perceptions of subjects sex and drinkingbehaviour are compared to those reported in the earlier studyand implications for the treatment of alcohol problems are discussed.It is concluded that the dimensions described by Davies andStacey represent a relatively stable structure within futureresearch where fresh initiatives in alcohol education may belocated.