College students report more episodes of binge drinking during the past 30 days than their non-college peers. Binge drinking can lead to a variety of adverse effects including negative academic performance, unintentional injuries, and alcohol-related health problems. Alcohol use behaviors may be influenced by an individual’s values. Values are beliefs that are important to individuals or society. College is often a time for personal growth for young adults where they begin to explore their identity and establish their values. This study examines which values are important to college students that consume alcohol and underlying principles and motivations to support those values.
The study’s sample consisted of 198 college students who were mandated to complete an alcohol education course following a campus alcohol policy violation. Participants completed a baseline survey that assessed their personality and drinking behaviors. Following this baseline assessment, students were asked to list their top five values, why that value is important to them, and how they have displayed that value in their life. Participants were also asked to report alcohol consumption during the past month. Lastly, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess level of risk for alcohol use disorder. Data was analyzed using inductive and deductive analysis to identify emergent themes.
Results of the data analysis showed that the majority of values fell into five categories: relationships (48%), future orientation (15%), morality (15%), wellness (14%), and benevolence (9%). Emergent themes that were identified within the relationships category included family, support, and commitment to others. Within the future orientation category participants identified education, success, and career. Topics discussed within the morality category were honestly, commitment to others, and communication. The wellness category was focused on physical and mental health and self-improvement. Lastly, emergent themes in the benevolence group included commitment to others, kindness, and non-familial relationships. Heavy and light drinkers did not differ in their distribution across main themes.
Takeaway: Relationships and commitment to others are important values among college students who consume alcohol.