Studies have shown that low constraint (partaking in risky or dangerous behavior) and high negative emotionality (stress, anger, fear, guilt) are linked to higher levels of alcohol use and more alcohol related problems in college students. A recent study added to the current research by looking into alcohol use disorder symptoms (AUD) between the first and second years of college and gender differences in student outcomes with alcohol use.

 

This study included 210 university students over the course of a year. They completed a longitudinal College Experiences Study through an online survey to assess their personality traits, alcohol use disorder symptoms, and perception of their alcohol use.

 

The initial survey revealed that 24% of students met the criteria for AUD. The second survey indicated that 25.8% met the criteria. The most common symptoms were taking in larger quantities of alcohol over a longer period of time than intended, building tolerance to alcohol, and continuing alcohol use despite negative effects. For men, initial high levels of AUD symptoms lead to low constraint in the second year of college. Negative emotionality did not impact college students’ alcohol outcomes to the extent that it does in middle-aged populations, likely due to college culture of alcohol use. Overall, the personality traits differed between males and females but AUD symptom prevalence did not.

 

The findings in this study can be used to observe changes in alcohol use and concurrent changes in personality traits in young college students. A key finding is that the majority of students who exhibited AUD did not perceive their drinking habits to be problematic. This leads to the potential to target at-risk students using personality traits to personalize alcohol prevention and intervention programs on college campuses.

 

Take Away: Many students who exhibit symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder do not see their alcohol use as problematic. Male college students who present AUD symptoms in their first year of college are prone to developing lower constraint by their second year of college as a response to use. Prevention programs can use this data to target at risk students for AUD.

 

Nichols, L.R., Samek, D.R., McConnell, L. (2018). Key personality traits and alcohol use disorder symptoms in first and second year college students: detangling antecedent from consequence. Addictive Behaviors. Volume 89 (178-187). doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.004