Drug User
Identity PhD
“An exploration of the concept of ‘identity’ in non-dependent drug users and their substance related decision-making”
Why study drug user
identity?...
There are different ways of trying to respond to the potential harmful effects of drug use. Obtaining a greater understanding of the meanings of, and motivation for consumption of drugs is an important part of this, particularly in order to understand why people continue to use drugs after initial experimentation or where there may be a high probability of harm. By exploring the concept of identity in non dependent drug users and how this affects their substance related decision-making, it may be possible to broaden understandings of use and develop more relevant and responsive interventions.
My programme of PhD study aims to explore the development and expression of drug related identity in young adults, and to understand how these identities may influence their substance related decision-making. The research will investigate ‘what it means’ to be a drug taker and how people may gain a sense of identity from drug use. In particular, the project will assess the role of health in the construction of drug user identities and how users negotiate problems and risks associated with drug-identity related behaviour.
The design is mixed-methods and cross-sectional. This is multi-phase research; in the first phase, convenience sampling techniques are used to recruit participants in order to invite them to complete an online questionnaire. Multivariate statistical techniques will be used to identify sub-groups in the population who might differ on their responses to key questions concerning identity and drug use function. In the next phase of research participants drawn from identified sub-groups and others recruited through theoretical sampling will be invited to take part in qualitative work (semi-structured interviews), which will explore identity formation and its implications in more detail.
My programme of PhD study aims to explore the development and expression of drug related identity in young adults, and to understand how these identities may influence their substance related decision-making. The research will investigate ‘what it means’ to be a drug taker and how people may gain a sense of identity from drug use. In particular, the project will assess the role of health in the construction of drug user identities and how users negotiate problems and risks associated with drug-identity related behaviour.
The design is mixed-methods and cross-sectional. This is multi-phase research; in the first phase, convenience sampling techniques are used to recruit participants in order to invite them to complete an online questionnaire. Multivariate statistical techniques will be used to identify sub-groups in the population who might differ on their responses to key questions concerning identity and drug use function. In the next phase of research participants drawn from identified sub-groups and others recruited through theoretical sampling will be invited to take part in qualitative work (semi-structured interviews), which will explore identity formation and its implications in more detail.
***NOW RECRUITING FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF RESEARCH***
Title of Project: “An exploration of the concept of ‘identity’ in non-dependent drug users and their substance related decision- making”
Name of Researcher and School/Faculty: Rebecca Crook, Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Education, Health and Community, LJMU
What is the purpose of the study?
This research forms part of a PhD programme. Interviews will be used to explore the role that drug use might play in peoples’ lives and to understand how identity is shaped by drug use and drug use experiences.
This study has received ethical approval from LJMU’s Research Ethics Committee (15/EHC/103).