Table 1.
Definitions for categorical coding variables, descriptive statistics, and exemplar Tweets (n = 2900).
| Variable (κ) | N(%) | Definition | Example content |
|---|---|---|---|
| User sentiment [not mutually exclusive] | |||
| Positive or neutral (κ = 0.83) | 2165 (74.7%) | Dry January is associated with positive opinions, emotions, or contexts, or Tweet is not opinionated or is a question about unbiased information | ● Positive: “[It’s been a good] Dry January” ● Neutral: “Is [anyone] trying Dry January?” |
| Negative (κ = 0.86) | 775 (26.7%) | Dry January is associated with negative opinions, emotions, or contexts | ● “Dry January is [dumb]. I want beer” |
| Tweet type [not mutually exclusive] | |||
| Commercial (κ = 0.89) | 488 (16.8%) | Selling, marketing, or advertising alcohol products | ● “Heineken 0.0 releases 12-packs in support of Dry January [URL]” |
| News (κ = 0.80) | 215 (7.4%) | News headlines or stories related to Dry January, alcohol, and/or alcohol products | ● “Dry January: I quit drinking. Over time, my brain made it easier. - The Washington Post [URL]” |
| Tweet themes [not mutually exclusive] | |||
| Encouragement and support (κ = 0.95) | 409 (14.1%) | Tweet designed to encourage those participating or thinking of participating in Dry January, or to offer tips, suggestions, or additional resources (e.g. mobile applications) for help with Dry January participation | ● “#DryJanuary is the one month challenge held every year in the UK to help millions reset their relationship with alcohol. After a heavy festive period, why not try out Dry Jan, for this new year's resolution? For more information visit. . .[URL]” |
| Experimentation with and promotion of nonalcoholic drinks (κ = 0.83) | 406 (14.0%) | Tweet mentions nonalcoholic drink substitutes (e.g. recipes for “ mocktails,” marketing of zero alcohol products) | ● “Looking for a good mocktail for #dryjanuary? Look no further! [URL]” |
| Barriers to/benefits from temporary abstinence [not mutually exclusive] | |||
| Benefits from temporary abstinence (κ = 0.98) | 301 (10.4%) | Mentions a physical, psychological, or financial benefit from participation in Dry January | |
| Physical (κ = 1.00) | 270 (9.3%) | Physical benefits experienced as a result of temporary abstinence from alcohol (e.g. weight loss, improved sleep, having more energy, feeling better, absence of hangovers, etc.) | ● “[Finished] first week of dry January. . .[also have] been working out. Wow I am a productivity machine. [I completed a lot this week that I had put off for a long time]. Sleeping well, feeling happy and energetic. My [way of life] wasn’t [helping me at all] :/” |
| Psychological and emotional (κ = 0.77) | 120 (4.1%) | Psychological or mental health benefits experienced as a result of temporary abstinence from alcohol (e.g. increased happiness; reduced stress, anxiety, and/or depression) | ● “. . .On day 26 of dry January. . .I have complete mental clarity. . .I don’t think I’ve [ever] felt this good about myself. . .” |
| Financial benefits (κ = 0.93) | 97 (3.3%) | Tweet references an experience of improved personal finances as a result of temporary abstinence from alcohol (e.g. saving money, not wasting money on alcohol) | ● “[Probably not] shocking to [anyone] but since doing dry January, I have [significantly] more money at the end of the month than [usual]” |
| Learning opportunity/examining relationship with alcohol (κ = 0.81) | 124 (4.3%) | Tweet mentions attempt at temporary abstinence helped with learning about one’s relationship with alcohol or the role of drinking in their lives, or the desire to further examine one’s relationship with alcohol | ● “Realized that my relationship with alcohol was truly destroying [everything - my body, my mind], my mood, and my desire to improve myself. #DryJanuary (early) results [without a] filter. . .” |
| Increased long-term intention to reduce drinking or abstain from drinking (κ = 0.92) | 123 (4.2%) | Tweet discusses that attempts at temporary abstinence resulted in the individual wanting to reduce future drinking levels, permanently cut down on alcohol use, or abstain entirely | ● “I think my dry January [will] turn into a dry 2022 and I am [really] excited to see how my body looks and feels by the end of it” |
| Barriers to temporary abstinence | 34 (1.2%) | Mentions a physical, or psychological barrier to participation in Dry January | |
| Physical (κ = 1.00) | 14 (0.5%) | Negative physical effects experienced as a result of temporary abstinence from alcohol (e.g. difficulty sleeping, headaches, withdrawal symptoms, etc.) | ● “Day 1 of dry January [and having trouble sleeping]…” |
| Psychological and emotional (κ = 0.77) | 6 (0.2%) | Negative psychological or mental health effects experienced as a result of temporary abstinence from alcohol (decreased happiness; increased stress, anxiety, and/or depression) | ● “[Two days into] #DryJanuary and [I am unhappy and struggle to] get out of bed in the morning. Aren’t I [supposed to] have more energy and enthusiasm for life?. . .” |