For this study, alcohol-induced blackouts (blackouts) are when “an individual has an absence of memory for all or part of a drinking episode.” It has been estimated that 4 out of 5 college student drinkers will experience a blackout at least once throughout college. Blackouts can have many negative consequences, such as alcohol overdoses, alcohol-related injuries, trouble with the police, and more. It has been suggested that blackouts could be one of the earlier signs of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This study examined psychosocial factors influencing blackouts and AUD risk symptoms among college student drinkers.
Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) was used to examine willingness to experience blackouts, intention to avoid blackouts, drinking, total blackouts experienced in college, and AUD risk symptoms among college student drinkers. The model suggested two paths that lead to risk-taking behaviors. One path is the social reaction pathway (willingness) and the reasoned pathway (intention). This study consisted of 2,024 first-year students aged 18-19 and reported drinking in the month before baseline. The data collection was scheduled to avoid exam periods and spring break to reflect typical drinking patterns.
Students would experience roughly eight blackouts during the four years, with approximately two blackouts every year. Males were found to have experienced many more blackouts than females. Willingness was positively associated with blackouts but not associated with drinking. 88% of participants also reported experiencing at least 1 of 8 AUD risk symptoms in the last semester of college. Overall, this study suggested that students’ willingness to experience a blackout influenced AUD risk symptoms through students’ total blackout experience throughout college.
Takeaway: This study suggested that student’s willingness to experience a blackout influenced AUD risk symptoms through students’ total blackout experience throughout college.