Although alcohol is the most frequently used substance among young adults, they exhibit relatively low risk perceptions regarding its negative consequences. According to prior research, it is not merely the presence of negative outcomes but rather the extent to which these outcomes are perceived as “negative” that more strongly influences subsequent drinking behavior. However, existing research focusing on these subjective evaluations remains scarce, and existing studies—mostly conducted with four-year college student samples—limit the understanding of diverse young adult populations. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine how subjective evaluations of drinking experiences differ based on age, drinking frequency, and four-year college enrollment status among young adults.
The study conducted a longitudinal Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), targeting 640 adults aged 18–27 residing in Texas who had consumed alcohol at least once in the past three months. Data collection consisted of an initial baseline survey, repeated three-week EMA assessments each quarter, and a follow-up survey after 12 months. Key measures included participants’ drinking frequency (assessed using an adapted item from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), negative alcohol-related consequences (Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire, YAACQ), and subjective evaluations of each negative consequence (modified YAACQ). Collected data were dichotomized based on age (18–20 years vs. 21–27 years), undergraduate status (four-year college students vs. non-students), and drinking frequency (weekly or more vs. three times per month or less). The total number of negative consequences and mean subjective evaluation scores were calculated using the YAACQ items. Data analysis involved conducting descriptive statistics for negative consequences and subjective evaluation scores, followed by ANCOVA and logistic regression analyses to examine differences across independent variables.
According to the study results, participants reported drinking alcohol approximately 3–4 times per month on average during the past three months, experiencing an average of 4.68 alcohol-related negative consequences during this period. Overall, these negative experiences were evaluated as slightly negative to neutral. The most frequently reported consequences included hangovers (51.5%), embarrassing behaviors (50.9%), and vomiting (41.8%), whereas outcomes such as weight gain due to drinking (8.3%), craving alcohol immediately upon awakening (6.0%), and waking up in unexpected locations (5.7%) were relatively infrequent. Young adults (21 years or older) reported experiencing fewer negative consequences overall compared to their underage peers (aged 18–20), despite drinking more frequently. Specifically, those aged 21 or older were significantly less likely to experience behavioral and physical negative outcomes, such as vomiting, passing out, and blackouts, yet they tended to evaluate these negative outcomes more negatively than their younger counterparts. Regarding drinking frequency, participants who drank more frequently experienced all types of negative consequences at higher rates; however, significant differences in subjective evaluations emerged in only two outcomes (“passing out” and “physical appearance harmed”). Lastly, there was no substantial difference between four-year college students and non-college students regarding the frequency of negative outcomes experienced. Nevertheless, non-college students evaluated health-related consequences such as weight gain or impaired appearance, as well as responsibility-related outcomes like interference with academics or work and neglecting obligations, more negatively.
Takeaway: Identifying individual difference factors in subjective alcohol consequence evaluations can guide brief, personalized interventions for young adults.