Publication year: 2011
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 15 June 2011
Norma, Nguyen , Scott T., Walters , Todd M., Wyatt , William, DeJong
Objective: This study examined patterns and correlates of protective drinking behaviors among incoming first-year college students. Method: Incoming first-year students (N=76,882) from 258 colleges across the U.S. provided baseline data on demographics, drinking practices, and protective behaviors as part of a web-based alcohol education program. Across the several colleges, responses to protective behavior questions were collected from seven weeks before the start of the school year to five weeks after. Results: Factor analysis identified three protective behavior sub-factors: Limit Drinking, Avoid Drinking and Driving, and Intent to Get Drunk. Both Limit Drinking and Avoid Drinking and Driving generally declined over the course of the data…
Research highlights: ► In the period surrounding matriculation to college, entering college freshman tend to use less protective drinking strategies to reduce the risk of drinking-related consequences. ► Freshman college students’ self-reported peak blood alcohol level and “intent to get drunk” increase immediately after the start of the school year. ► Heavier drinking students tend to use less protective drinking strategies. ► With the exception of “intent to get drunk” scores, women tend to use more protective drinking strategies than men.