Qualitative and mixed method studies
| Citation | Type | Quality assessment | Country | Participants | Study design | Aims | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunting et al (2013)68 | Full paper | Strong | New Zealand | Boys and girls (n=12) 16–35 years | Focus groups stratified by age (16–21, 22–28 and 29–35 years) | To obtain participants’ perceptions of caffeinated EDs | Themes: advertising, age, alcohol, brand, efficacy, energy-seeking, gender, health, peer influence, product attributes, and safety Taste appeared to be the primary driver motivating the purchase and repurchase of EDs |
| Costa et al (2014)69 | Full paper | Strong | Australia | Boys and girls (n=40) 12–15 years | Focus groups | To explore perceptions, patterns, and contexts of ED use | Themes: knowledge about ED brands and content, ED use, reasons for ED use, physiological effects and influences on ED use Participants were familiar with a range of EDs and most had used them at least once, but had limited knowledge of ED ingredients and could not easily differentiate them from other drink types |
| Jones (2011)70 | Full paper | Strong | Australia | Boys and girls (n=95) 12–14 years 15–17 years | Focus groups (separate by age and gender), supplemented with school and online survey data | To explore perceptions and consumption of alcohol EDs (AEDs) | Many participants commenting that they had consumed AEDs, or seen others consuming them. Findings suggest they may be particularly popular among young females Drinking in the 15–17 age group took place predominantly at parties and friends’ houses, as well as at family gatherings Only a small number of survey respondents raised negative consequences of consuming AEDs |
| O'Dea (2003)71 | Full paper | Strong | Australia | Boys and girls (n=78) 11–18 years | Focus groups | To explore the type of nutritional supplements and drinks consumed by adolescents, along with reasons for consumption | In the 2 weeks prior to the focus groups, 42.3% of participants had consumed EDs (compared with 54.6% who consumed sports drinks) Reasons for consumption of EDs: energy, taste, sports performance, soft drink substitute, peer group pressure, attractive packaging |