Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 53-61% of college students reported playing drinking games (DGs). College students’ participation in drinking games is a major public health concern because of its link to heavy alcohol consumption and increased risk for negative alcohol related consequences. Although previous studies have demonstrated that there was a decline in alcohol use among college students at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the prevalence of DG participation during this time is unknown. This study examines which drinking motives increased the likelihood of playing DGs in person and in a group of 10+ people during the 2020-21 pandemic academic year among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 900 past-year student drinkers from 12 universities who reported DG participation. Respondents were asked to report if they played DGs, DGs virtually, and DGs in person during the pandemic. Students were also asked how many people they played DG with in person. Alcohol use, drinking motives (social, enhancement, conformity, and coping), and perceived COVID-19 threat were also measured. Data was analyzed using two hierarchical generalized linear models.
Results of the data analysis showed that 590 students reported playing DGs during COVID-19 pandemic and 460 of these students played DGs in-person. In addition, 274 students reported playing DGs with more than ten people in person. There was an increased likelihood of playing drinking games in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic for those who were younger in age, had higher alcohol use, lower perceived COVID-19 threat, higher social-related drinking motives, and lower coping-related drinking motives. The likelihood of playing drinking games with more than ten people was unrelated to drinking motives but was associated with higher general alcohol use and lower perceived COVID-19 threat.
Takeaway: Many college students reported playing drinking games in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic and drinking game participation was related to younger age, higher general alcohol consumption, lower perceived COVID-19 threat, higher social-related drinking motives, and lower coping-related drinking motives