Due to the college drinking problem in the United States, alcohol-related consequences are a major public health concern for college students. First-year college students, in particular, are at an increased risk of developing high-risk drinking behaviors and experiencing alcohol-related adverse effects. Some studies have suggested that drinking behaviors during the first year of college impact drinking behaviors in subsequent years and number of alcohol-related consequences experienced. This study examines the impact of early college experiences on total number of alcohol-related consequences experienced among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 1,744 undergraduate students from a large northeastern university who completed an online survey during each semester over their four years of college. The survey assessed alcohol use during a typical week, alcohol-related consequences, parental approval of alcohol-related consequences, perceived peer typical weekly drinking, and willingness toward experiencing consequences as a result of drinking. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a structural equation model.
Results of the data analysis showed that students experienced about 102 alcohol-related consequences on average. Males experiences significantly more total consequences than females, but on average students experienced around 25 consequences each year of college. Parental approval of consequences, but not peer drinking norms, were positively associated with willingness to experience consequences as a result of drinking. Willingness to experience consequences and drinking were positively associated with the total consequence outcome. Lastly, as peer drinking norms increased so did drinking which indirectly impacted total consequences.
Takeaway: Parental approval of alcohol-related consequences during early college years may impact total consequences experienced during college through willingness to experience consequences and drinking behaviors.