Around 10% of college student in the United States study abroad in a different country during their college experience. Study abroad programs present students with opportunities for personal, cultural, and academic growth. However, some students may be at risk of excessive alcohol use, risky sexual behaviors, and sexual violence victimization while participating in these programs. While studying abroad the number of drinks students consume per week more than doubles which puts students at a greater risk of experiencing alcohol-related consequences. Some colleges have offered predeparture programs focused on these issues to prevent potential hazards. This study examines the impact of an online predeparture program on drinking behaviors, risky sexual behavior, and sexual violence among college students studying abroad.
The study’s sample consisted of 650 college students from 40 different universities who were studying abroad. The intervention condition had 334 students and there were 316 student in the control condition. The intervention (TREK) focused on preventing escalation of heavy drinking abroad and increasing protective behaviors to reduce risky sexual behaviors and sexual victimization. After a baseline survey, students were asked to complete the intervention or spend 20-30 minutes reviewing their university’s website for information about safety while studying abroad. Participants completed a survey that assessed drinking and risky sex outcomes in the past 30 days one month into their study abroad trip, two months into the trip, one month after returning home, and three months after returning home. Data was analyzed using mixed effects negative binomial repeated measures models.
Results of the data analysis showed all participants drinking increased from baseline during the first month abroad, stabilized during the remainder of the trip, and returned to near baseline levels when returning home. During the first month abroad, the intervention group’s rate of drinking was 0.92 times lower than the control group and their binge drinking was 0.85 times lower than the control group. However, these effects were nonsignificant. Intervention participants reported significantly less risky sexual behavior during their first month abroad compared to controls. There were similar rates of sexual violence and alcohol-related consequences experienced among the intervention and control participants.
Takeaway: Predeparture programs focused on prevention of heavy drinking and risky sexual behavior may provide some protective benefits for college students studying abroad.