Examining Alcohol Education Initiatives: A Correlational Case Study of Alcohol Use in NCAA Athletes

Background: Significant literature suggests that collegiate athletes represent a subgroup with a high likelihood for at-risk drinking behaviors. It is, therefore, important to evaluate this group's exposure to education initiatives and its influence on behavioral outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate exposure to alcohol education initiatives and alcohol-related choices among NCAA athletes. Of interest is whether or not greater exposure to multiple alcohol education initiatives would increase healthier lifestyle choices and decrease high-risk behavior. Methods: During the first two weeks of April 2010, all NCAA athletes at a small, dynamic, and private Liberal Arts University were invited to complete a one-time survey examining alcohol education initiatives. Participants voluntarily answered a series of questions regarding exposure to initiatives and alcohol-related behavior choices. Results: 35% of athletes (n = 117; 61 female, 56 male) responded to the survey. 90.7% of respondents (n = 98) had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in their life. On average, respondents drank one day in the past week (n = 42) and averaged drinking 3-5 days in the previous 30 days (n = 33). In addition, respondents were asked to indicate exposure to 15 possible initiatives. Data suggests that, within this subgroup, exposure to some forms of alcohol education were more prevalent than others; alcohol speakers (n = 64), contemporary wellness courses (n = 57), and peer education campaigns (n = 42). Conclusions: Findings suggest that exposure to alcohol education initiatives has the potential to influence behavior. Further research is needed to evaluate the trends in behavioral outcomes in collegiate athletes against a referent group of peers.