<p>The objective of this study was investigating social worker’s perspective of how alcohol consumption can affect, and what elements in the social environment that may be of significance for, alcohol consumption and development of identity. The questions at issue were: Do social workers experience any positive effects from alcohol consumption in 16-17 year-old girls with problematic alcohol consumption and what influence do the effects have on self esteem, self image and development of identity? What do social workers experience are the negative effects from alcohol consumption on self esteem, self image and development of identity? How important do social workers find the social environment and how do they believe the social environment affect the alcohol consumption and development of identity? This was investigated with a qualitative approach from a social worker’s perspective, hence social workers were interviewed. The study’s theoretical basis was Symbolic Interactionism and Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development. According to interviewed social workers results showed only short-term positive effects on self esteem and self image and the negative effects were primarily feelings of guilt and shame, which could cause a long-term deterioration of self esteem and self image. Alcohol consumption brings only negative effects to development of identity, according to social workers who also stated that the social environment is of significance for the alcohol consumption and the development of identity.</p>

The objective of this study was investigating social worker’s perspective of how alcohol consumption can affect, and what elements in the social environment that may be of significance for, alcohol consumption and development of identity. The questions at issue were: Do social workers experience any positive effects from alcohol consumption in 16-17 year-old girls with problematic alcohol consumption and what influence do the effects have on self esteem, self image and development of identity? What do social workers experience are the negative effects from alcohol consumption on self esteem, self image and development of identity? How important do social workers find the social environment and how do they believe the social environment affect the alcohol consumption and development of identity? This was investigated with a qualitative approach from a social worker’s perspective, hence social workers were interviewed. The study’s theoretical basis was Symbolic Interactionism and Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development. According to interviewed social workers results showed only short-term positive effects on self esteem and self image and the negative effects were primarily feelings of guilt and shame, which could cause a long-term deterioration of self esteem and self image. Alcohol consumption brings only negative effects to development of identity, according to social workers who also stated that the social environment is of significance for the alcohol consumption and the development of identity.