The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41944

Joan M. Carlson, MSW¹, Michele J. Moore, PhD¹, Chudley E. Werch, PhD¹, Pamela S. Chally, PhD, RN², Alice A. Jaglowski, BS¹, and Carla C. Sain, MA¹. (1) Center for Drug Prevention Research, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Building 39, Room 3042, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645, (904) 620-2847, jcarlson@unf.edu, (2) Dean, College of Health, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645

The purpose of this study was to examine binge drinking initiation and problems among first-year residential students who reported having consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Subjects included 305 undergraduate students recruited on campus, in high traffic areas, to take a confidential 72-item survey at a mid-sized university in the South in January 2002. All students were between the ages of 18 and 20. Stages of binge drinking initiation results reveal 19% of students reported they were not thinking of binge drinking (precontemplation), 11% thinking of binge drinking in the near future (contemplation), 18% had binged in the past and were not planning to again (recontemplation) and 48% of students had binge drank in the past 6 months or were regularly binge drinking (preparation/action/maintenance). Problems associated with alcohol consumption in the past 30 days included, 44% experiencing a hangover, 34% doing something they later regretted, 27% forgot where they were or what they did, 21% argued with friends and 13% reported getting behind in school work. Problems associated with OTHERS drinking included 39% of students took care of friends who drank too much, 26% had sleep or studying interrupted and 14% experienced an unwanted sexual advance. Implications of these results for future research and programming aimed at preventing the initiation and problems of binge drinking at the collegiate level will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe self-reported stages of behavioral initiation of binge drinking among first-year residential students at a 4-year university.
• Identify the research methods utilized in the study.
• Summarize the main findings and conclusions of the study.
• Assess the implications of the findings for future presentation research and practice.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Binge Drinking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.