According to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 80% of college students report consumption of at least one alcoholic beverage over the previous 2 weeks. High-risk alcohol use is a prevalent problem on college campuses and can lead to a variety of adverse events including academic and mental health problems, sexual assault, and sexually transmitted infections. Hazardous alcohol use is a notable concern for college athletes as previous studies have shown that student-athletes tend to drink larger quantities and more frequently than other students. Alcohol consumption among student athletes can also increase risk of injury, delay recovery, and reduce athletic performance. This study examines the relationship between drinking behaviors and drinking motives in college student athletes.
The study’s sample consisted of 225 college student athletes from an NCAA Division I university who completed an online survey. Drinking behavior and related alcohol consumption problems were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The potential drinking motives that were assessed were enhancement, coping, social, and conformity. Data was analyzed using a logistic regression and hierarchical linear regression models to determine if drinking motives influenced drinking behaviors.
Results of the data analysis showed that there was no significant difference in AUDIT scores between males and females. Coping was a statistically significant predictor for AUDIT score and hazardous drinking for both males and females. When evaluating females separately, coping, social, and enhancement motives were predictors for AUDIT scores. College athletes that used drinking to cope were 1.25 times more likely to participate in hazardous alcohol consumption. Those drinking alcohol for enhancement were 1.19 times more likely to engage in hazardous alcohol consumption.
Takeaway: Understanding drinking motives may provide predictive value when assessing drinking behaviors in college student athletes.