Excessive drinking is now recognized as the leading threat to the health and well-being of college students. In addition, research suggests that alcohol consumption is a strong contributing factor to the high incidence of high-risk sexual behavior among many college students as well. No well- developed measure currently exists that measures prospective daily alcohol consumption, daily sexual activity, and the combination and consequences of the two. An Alcohol and Sexuality Log was developed for this purpose and pilot tested with two hundred and forty-three undergraduate students attending a large northeastern university to test its efficaciousness. Data were collected from each participant for seven days. The preliminary results indicate that 81% (n=197) of the students drank alcohol , and 55% (n=134) of the students engaged in sexual behavior during the seven day monitoring period. Thirty-eight percent (n=93) of the students reported that either they or their partner had drunk alcohol prior to engaging in some form of sexual behavior. In addition, students were asked to report on a variety of other factors associated with drinking and sexual behavior (i.e. number of drinks, pressure to drink, reasons for drinking/not drinking, pressure to have sex, reasons for pursing/refusing sex, nature of the relationship, types of sexual behavior, use of safer sex, and mood prior to drinking and following sex). The results from this pilot study could be used to guide the development of educational programs on college campuses to decrease risks from mixing alcohol with sex.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Identify the unique qualities of the Alcohol & Sexuality Log as a comprehensive instrument that measures prospective daily alcohol consumption, daily sexual activity, and the combination and the consequences of the two. 2. Discuss the relationship between college students' alcohol use and risky sexual behavior
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Sexual Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.