Prevalence and Residential-Level Correlates of Second-Hand Consequences from College Student Drinking

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.