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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elizabeth N. Bush, MHS, Melinda Griffin, ABD, MS, and Bradley O. Boekeloo, PhD, MS. Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, 2387 Valley Drive, HHP Building, College Park, MD 20742, 301-405-2554, enbush@umd.edu

Objectives: To determine the frequencies and dormitory living-unit (wing) correlates of secondhand consequences experienced by students from other students' drinking.

Methods: Students (n=1296) living in predominantly freshmen dormitories at a large, public, Mid-Atlantic university were asked to complete a web-based survey as part of a wing intervention trial. Secondhand consequences summative scale scores were constructed from 10 items (Range=0-23, Mean=4.5, S.D.=4.1, Alpha=.72). Wing variables included: dormitory wing norms (5 items, Alpha=.69), wing acceptability of drinking behaviors (8 items, Alpha=.88), level of attachment to wing-mates (6 items, Alpha=.91) and Resident Assistants' attitudes toward drinking (5 items, Alpha=.74). Independent relationships between secondhand consequences and wing characteristics controlling for student demographics were assessed.

Results: Many respondents (n=551) reported having their sleep interrupted (52%), being inconvenienced by vomit in the hallway (49%), having to “baby sit” a student (46%), or being affected by the behavior of guests of drinkers (46%) on their wings. Among men (n=224), wing acceptability of drinking (β=.23, p=.003) and “male only” intervention condition (β= -1.8, p=.009) predicted secondhand consequences. Among women (n=318), recent drinking predicted secondhand consequences (β=1.4, p=.006). Among both men and women, reporting drinking as “normal” predicted secondhand consequences; (β=.15, p=.049) and (β=.2, p=.001) respectively.

Conclusion: These college students in predominantly freshman dormitories frequently experienced secondhand consequences of others' drinking. Believing that drinking was “normal” on one's wing predicted secondhand drinking consequences. Dormitory living units (wings) may be targeted to change normative expectations of drinking and reduce secondhand consequences among college students.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that all students living in dormitories (not only drinkers) are affected by drinking behaviors.
• Discuss frequency and types of secondhand consequences of drinking and related behaviors.
• Discuss role of living environment (i.e. dormitory wing-level characteristics) on level of secondhand consequences.
• Discuss role of norms and perceptions within a living environment (i.e., dormitory wing) on level and types of secondhand consequences.

Keywords: Alcohol, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.