Perpetration of Alcohol-Related Aggression by Male and Female College Students: An Examination of Overt and Relational Aggression

Abstract

Existing literature exemplifies the relationship between alcohol and overt aggression, especially for adult males. Less clear is the relationship between alcohol and aggression among male and female college students, in particular, the nature of this aggression and the co-occurrence of drinking and aggression on the same day (temporal proximity). This study examines the chronic and temporal nature of males' and females' alcohol-related aggression among college students. Two hundred fourteen students completed a web-based 7-day event-level survey measuring alcohol consumption and perpetration of physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and relational aggression over 4 weeks, resulting in 4,256 observations (days). The global analysis revealed students who are heavy drinkers are more likely to perpetrate all four forms of aggression, whereas the event-level analysis revealed that specific forms of aggression are associated with drinking at the time, while other forms were not linked to drinking occasions. Cross-tabulation revealed males and females were more likely to use verbal and physical aggression when drinking. For females, drinking was also associated with relational aggression and anger. Despite often being overlooked in research on aggression during emerging adulthood, relational aggression was prevalent. Discrepancies between the global and temporal analysis revealed factors other than alcohol might explain the relationship between chronic alcohol consumption and specific forms of aggression. This is one of the first event-level studies to show the temporal relationship between alcohol and relational aggression. The distinctions in the current study, exemplifying the diversity of alcohol-related aggression, are critical for understanding aggressive behavior, potential gender differences, and for developing interventions. The temporal relationship between alcohol and aggression suggests health interventions should target drinking and aggression simultaneously.

Lifestyle determinants of behavioural outcomes triggered by direct‐to‐consumer advertising of prescription medicines: a cross‐sectional study

“…Moreover, the respondents’ self‐reported lifestyle behaviours, as well as self‐reported behavioural responses to DTCA, might not reflect individuals’ actual behaviours and might increase the possibility that certain behaviours were under or over reported. However, the anonymity assured by the online survey platform, a method that has strengths over traditional methods, 86 would have assisted truthful responses 71 …”

“…Before the estimation of alcohol consumption, the alcohol percentage by volume (ABV) was reviewed and revised for each record 66 . Standard drink consumption was measured by applying the equation indicated by the Food Standards Authority Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) and used in an earlier study: “volume of the container in liters × % alcohol by volume (ml/100 ml) × 0.789” 66,71 …”

“…66 Standard drink consumption was measured by applying the equation indicated by the Food Standards Authority Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) and used in an earlier study: "volume of the container in liters × % alcohol by volume (ml/100 ml) × 0.789". 66,71 Physical activity was determined through a summed index of four statements (0: not selected / 1: going to/participating in) measuring engagement in physical activities in an average month, including going to the gym/run/walk, participating in individual sport (e.g. swimming, golf), participating in a team sport, and going tramping or camping.…”

“…However, the anonymity assured by the online survey platform, a method that has strengths over traditional methods, 86 would have assisted truthful responses. 71 This study was exploratory research and included a large pool of potential predictors, which should be useful in guiding future, more confirmatory work. However, this issue can increase the chance of observing a Type I error.…”

Developmental Precursors of Relational Aggression From Late Childhood Through Adolescence

“…A youth may tell lies, spread rumors or make fun of peers to derogate their social status, give them "silent treatment," or purposely exclude them from social activities. Given the harmful consequences of relational aggression, including academic failure, substance use, and delinquency (Crick, Ostrov, & Werner, 2006;Robertson, Forbes, & Thyne, 2017;Tackett & Ostrov, 2010), understanding the etiology of relational aggression is a vital public health issue.…”