Nightlife: A study in real and virtual context

Nightlife is an economically and culturally important part of modern life but is also associated with various health and social problems and risk behaviors. This research has two aims: to determine the extent and patterns of substance use in nightclubs by conducting in situ research, and to test the applicability of virtual reality (VR) technology in reducing harm from risk behaviors and increasing the well-being of nightlife attendees by conducting experimental research. Within the first research objective, an application for conducting the research in nightclubs will be developed to capture behavior patterns in the context of nightlife and risk behaviors with an emphasis on substance use. Participants will then be asked to participate in experimental research, within which an intervention in a VR environment will be developed with the aim to reduce harm from risk behaviors and increase well-being. Participants will be divided into two groups, the experimental and control group, and those in the experimental group will access the intervention through VR glasses. The effectiveness of the intervention will be monitored using various criterion variables. The developed method could be applied in public health activities aimed at reducing harm from risk behaviors and improving the health and well-being of nightlife attendees and serve as a basis for the development and application of VR interventions in other preventive and treatment programs.