Demographic, Lifestyle, and Psychosocial Predictors of Frequency of Intoxication and Other Indicators as Estimates of Alcohol-Related Problems in Air Force Basic Military Recruits

Abstract

This study examined demographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial variables to determine predictors of Air Force recruits who are likely to have alcohol-related problems. Subjects were all Air Force recruits (N = 32,144) entering basic training from August 1995 to September 1996. The dependent measures were self-reported frequency of eight or more drinks per occasion, frequency of fighting while drinking, and typical frequency of alcohol consumption. Demographic analysis revealed that individuals high on any dependent variable were more likely to be male, older, non-Hispanic whites with some college. Lifestyle predictors included positive attitudes toward drug use and smoking status, with risk greater for females than males and for non-whites than non-Hispanic whites at the same smoking level. Psychosocial predictors included positive rebellious attitudes, decreased seatbelt use, and positive risk-taking attitudes, with risk greater for females than males at the same risk attitude level. These findings suggest that problem drinking falls into a broader category of risky problem behaviors.

The effects of chronic alcohol consumption and exercise on the skeleton of adult male rats

“…Moreover, stress fractures of the cancellous bone may be a warning sign of early onset of osteopenia (Marx et al, 2001). Nearly one in five individuals in the military reports having engaged in heavy drinking, and college athletes, despite repetitive athlete-targeted anti-alcohol education campaigns, are more likely to drink than their nonathlete counterparts (Hunter et al, 2000;Nelson and Wechsler, 2001). These populations are regularly involved in endurance exercise, and their propensity for alcohol consumption presents a bone environment that has yet to be explored.…”

Examining the Association Between Binge Drinking and Propensity to Join the Military

“…Compared to their light-drinking peers, heavy drinkers responding to the Department of Defense Worldwide Survey exhibited a greater relative risk for exhibiting several work-related productivity losses (i.e., self-reported lateness, leaving early, low performance, and on-the-job injury). 32 Hunter et al 33 contend that high-risk drinking falls into a broader risk behavior category for military personnel. Specifically, among a sample ( n = 32,144) of Air Force recruits entering basic training, the frequency of consuming eight or more drinks per occasion, frequency of fighting while drinking, and typical frequency of drinking were linked to positive rebellious and risk-taking attitudes and increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors such as decreased seat belt use.…”

Service suspension for mental disorders in armed forces draftees in the Penghu area

“…One report indicated that one out of 5 active US military personnel drank to excess [9]. A similar study in the UK found that 67% of men and 49% of women in the regular UK Armed Forces were engaged in “hazardous drinking” [10,11].…”