The national rise in alcohol consumption on college campuses warrants effective public health policies to tackle this issue. Current measures of alcohol consumption on college campuses categorize individuals based on consumption alone, overlooking the heterogeneity of this population and making it difficult to tailor effective interventions. One solution to this is the use of typologies to better understand societal phenomenon and identify patterns. Other typology studies have identified abstainers, light drinkers, social drinkers, hedonistic drinkers, heavy alcohol consumers, and problem alcohol users as distinct types. This study was conducted to expand on these by developing descriptive typologies among university students. Using Q-methodology, 43 Irish university students completed interviews and sored 36 statement cards into three groups: agree, disagree, and neither agree nor disagree. They also sorted the statements on a continuum from ‘least describes me’ to ‘most describes me’ and completed a questionnaire about their alcohol consumption. The study identified four groups of alcohol consumers: the guarded drinker, the calculated hedonist, the peer-influenced drinker, and the inevitable binger. The guarded drinker individuals were characterized by cautious drinking, careful spending, and controlled enjoyment. These drinkers enjoy socializing but tend to follow the rules and make a conscious decision to be a light drinker. However, almost 40% of these drinkers exhibited signs of risky drinking. The calculated hedonists described drinking as a way to maximize pleasure and have fun with disregard for the negative consequences of drinking. Almost 54% of these drinkers are risky or hazardous drinkers. Peer-influenced drinkers consumed alcohol as part of a group or at a party and are motivated to drink because it will help them feel a part of the group and adds social confidence. The inevitable bingers were characterized by having a loss of control and drinking until the alcohol was gone. These drinkers were aware of the dangerous situations they put themselves in, believed they were failing to reach their potential, and identified their consumption as problematic rather than fun.

Take away: This study identifies four distinct profiles of alcohol consuming university students and creates a better understanding of drinking patterns in order to develop appropriate public health interventions. These typologies provide university and health professionals with the insight needed to tailor motivational interventions to students.

Davoren, M.P., Cronin, M., Perry, I.J., & O’Connor, K. (2016) Alcohol consumption among university students: a typology of consumption to aid the tailoring of effective public health policy. BMJ Open, 6(11).