Approximately 33% of college students report heavy episodic drinking (four or five drinks in one sitting), whereas 6% of college students have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorders. Personality characteristics may play a role in the pathway to heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders. Previous research has demonstrated that extraversion and neuroticism have been linked to high-risk alcohol use. Social and academic stressors may also influence drinking behaviors among college students. This study examines effect of personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) on alcohol consumption prior to academic stressors (tests and assignment deadlines) among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 744 first-year college students from a university in Northeastern United States. Participants were asked to complete daily surveys over 14 consecutive days once per semester. The baseline survey assessed neuroticism and extraversion using the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). During the daily surveys students were asked to report if they had an exam/quiz or assignment due yesterday and how many drinks they had yesterday. Alcohol use problems were measured during the Fall of the fourth year of college using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Data was analyzed using multilevel generalized linear models.
Results of the data analysis showed that the most drinking occurred on days with the fewest academic events. However, 29% of drinking days still occurred before an academic event. Students who scored higher in extraversion were more likely to drink on any given day, consumed more total drinks, and were more likely to report heavy episodic drinking. Neuroticism was not related to drinking behaviors but was associated with greater fourth year alcohol use problems. Students low in extraversion had less alcohol use problems if they avoided heavy drinking prior to academic events
Takeaway: Level of extraversion may provide predictive value when assessing alcohol use behaviors and alcohol-related problems in college students.