College alcohol use: role of identity in drinking behaviors

Abstract

Colleges across the country are continually working to address problems with partying amongst college students. Research suggests one of the most effective ways to decrease partying behaviors is through interventions that provide normative feedback. The Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire scale was used to measure the consequence of drinking for young adults. Freshman and Sophomore participants were combined to make a new Lower-Level Students group (n = 147). Junior, Senior and Graduate Student participants were combined to create a new Upper-level Students group (n = 49). A "Partier" Self-Concept Scale measured how participants see social behaviors as a partier. An independent samples t-test determined that no significant difference between Upper-Level Students (M = 3.07, SD = 1.77) and Lower-Level Students (M = 2.60, SD = 1.95) on partier identity (t (194) = -1.47, p = .551). A Pearson's r correlation found that students who identified as "partiers" experienced more negative consequences of alcohol use (r (197) = .58, p < .001). These findings show a need for longer term interventions, as students identify as 'partiers' regardless of age, while experiencing alcohol related consequences.