College students have been identified as a population at risk for alcohol-related problems based on their high levels of alcohol consumption. Alcohol use and abuse on campus are a result of a complex interaction between the individual student and the campus environment. This study examined antecedents and consequences of students' alcohol use for five hundred and ninety-one undergraduate students attending a large, public, northeastern university utilizing the College Health and Academics Survey (CHAS). This comprehensive questionnaire examined the relationship between students' perceived self-efficacy to abstain from drinking or to practice responsible drinking, and their social environment. Results indicate a strong desire for students to "fit in" according to what their perception is of student alcohol use at their campus. The data suggest that students feel "less confident" about not drinking in situations that involved seeing others drink at a party (18.8%), celebrating with others (23.4%), and when being offered a drink in a social situation (20.8%). In addition, students reported that it would be "very hard" to "somewhat hard" to avoid social situations where a lot of drinking would be taking place (42.5%), or to limit themselves to no more than 3 drinks in each social situation (25.6%). These results lend evidence to the need for prevention and intervention programs that utilize social cognitive theory as a theoretical model to help students improve their control over alcohol decisions and behaviors.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the lack of confidence that college students have in their ability to abstain from alcohol or to drink responsibly in social situations. 2. Recognize the factors that contribute to excessive drinking among college students
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Self-Efficacy
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.