The transition out of college is associated with changes in drinking behavior among many students; however, students with trauma histories may be at greater risk for experiencing negative alcohol outcomes. Previous research found individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to experience negative alcohol-related consequences than their peers. A new study examined changes in drinking patterns and changes in PTSD symptomology among 283 U.S. college students who reported experiencing trauma. The researchers collected data on past-month PTSD symptoms, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences during the fifth year after students matriculated into college. Participants were assigned to one of three groups, based on their college transition status at baseline: Still in college, starting graduate studies, or graduated and transitioned to the post-college environment. Results showed average levels of alcohol use and alcohol consequences were higher among students who transitioned to graduate school and students who transitioned out of the college environment than among individuals who remained in undergraduate studies. There were no significant associations among college transition status, alcohol use, and PTSD symptomology, although, on average, men who reported higher levels of PTSD symptoms also reported lower levels of alcohol use throughout the data collection period. The researchers found students who had transitioned out of a college environment had a significantly greater likelihood of experiencing negative alcohol consequences during periods in which their self-reported PTSD symptoms increased, but this was not true for students who had just started graduate school or were still completing their undergraduate studies.
Take away: Transitioning out of the college environment after graduation may exacerbate PTSD-associated drinking outcomes among students with trauma histories. Colleges should consider implementing a brief motivational intervention for graduating students shortly before this transition.