Predicting alcohol consumption during the month before and after beginning college

Abstract

BackgroundWe sought to determine predictors of drinking the month before and after beginning college, as well as changes in drinking between these two periods among adjudicated students. We conducted these analyses to inform individual and university-wide approaches to addressing underage drinking, particularly among the heaviest drinkers.MethodsThe sample consisted of 143 students entering college, adjudicated during their first semester, and interviewed during the same semester. The sample consisted of 43% women. Drinking data were collected through the Time-Line Follow-Back interview.ResultsThe average number of drinking days (DD) during the first month of college was 7.0 (SD = 4.7), the average number of drinks per drinking day (DDD) was 7.4 (SD = 3.4), and the average volume of standard drink units consumed during this month was 56.3 (SD = 51.2). Students had volunteered for a two-year college facilitation study, and had been invited to participate after receiving a citation for violating university alcohol policies. Analyses consisted of nine backward elimination regression analyses with nine variables entered as predictors (one was a control variable). Age of first intoxication was related to every dependent measure. Men had a higher August DDD, September DDD, and September volume than women. Roommate drinking level was associated with September DDD and September volume. Out-of-state students had a lower August volume than in-state students. High school rank was inversely related to September drinking days. SAT score, declared major status, and fraternity/sorority status were not related to drinking according to these multivariate analyses.ConclusionsResults suggest that approaches to underage drinking for adjudicated students may need to be tailored according to age of first intoxication. Results also suggest the drinking level of the heaviest drinking roommate may moderate individual level interventions. Further, interventions applied to an entire dorm room may prove efficacious. Results also suggest that high school rank, rather than SAT scores, should be used as college entry criteria to yield a drier incoming class. Results may not generalize to non-adjudicated students.

Risk behaviors and drug use: A latent class analysis of heavy episodic drinking in first-year college students.

“…This is especially true given the limitations in the range and cut points of indicators under consideration. For example, this analysis does not include indicators relating to alcohol use frequency, age at first use, or family history, all of which are predictive of high-risk drinking (Courtney & Polich, 2009; Goudriaan, Grekin, & Sher, 2007; Ham & Hope, 2003; Johnson et al, 2010; Schaus et al, 2009). There are limitations involved in the selection of cut points for the indicators in the model, as more stringent cut points could have refined the classes further.…”

Are college students’ perceptions of social network drinking accurate?: Examining the validity of the Important People Instrument.

“…The IPI was developed to assess perceptions of network members’ alcohol consumption, support for treatment, and general social support (Clifford & Longabaugh, 1991). Research on college students has focused primarily on the consumption items (e.g., Hallgren & Barnett, 2016; Johnson et al, 2010), including drinking status, ranging from recovering alcoholic to heavy drinker, maximum drinks consumed in one day, and frequency of consumption.…”

“…Participants also rated these items for themselves. We focused on drinking status because a number of studies have examined it among college students (e.g., DeMartini, Prince, & Carey, 2013; Johnson et al, 2010; Reid & Carey, 2018). Given that most students drink one day per week or less but vary more widely in quantity consumed (Arria et al, 2016), we anticipated greater variability in maximum drinks, and therefore more room for inaccuracy, than frequency of consumption.…”